Scene: Three happy youth driving back from a Baha’i event. Shannon is driving, Sholeh is in the passenger seat, Lev is in the back, leaning back with his eyes closed.

Sholeh: Lev, do deer make noise?
*long pause*
Lev: Only when they’re happy.

*commence laugh track*

The great thing about the above is…that it is entirely true.

This is the view when I step out of my building every day. Except…clearer.

Posted in Friends | Comments (3)

The words can’t escape my lips
I can’t express
the single horrible enormity of it
I have no knowledge of misfortune
only words voiced by haunted souls
like the sickening caress
twisting
a manipulation of dependency
Paralyzed I stand by
unable to allay the agony
of this unthinkable calamity
If your child was in anguish
could you just stand by?
Each innocent that suffers
is the symptom of the omission
of responsibility.

>–Definitions–<

a·buse:
1. To use wrongly or improperly; misuse
2. To hurt or injure by maltreatment; ill-use.
3. To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.
4. To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.

Antonyms:
cherish, defend, help, nurture, preserve, protect, respect

Dedicated to L and R, and those who have suffered.

Posted in Poetry | Comments (7)

“Don’t be fooled by the rocks that you got, she’s still, she’s still Sholeh from the BLOG. ” – Jeremy

Thanks, Jer. Like I need more references to J-Lo. heh.

My train stop:

The House of Worship at night.

Posted in Chicago | Comments (0)

I am revived
I thought I had been inspired
But that was nothing compared to this
My soul is on fire
The flames fed through indecipherable means
I’ve never asked why I was given this gift
Never had to search or have doubt
Even when I drifted
My heart stayed close to home
I’m not here to belong to something
To feel important or wanted
Every day brings progress
I don’t physically change
It’s a transformation of my spiritual state
I don’t know what the result of my work will be
And somehow it doesn’t matter
I’ve got a higher source behind me

I wrote that on Sunday at a presentation I was doing. I’m not sure if it is done yet.

Posted in Poetry | Comments (1)

Something about home never changes. Even though I love Chicago, the suburbs somehow welcome me back every time I come. Tonight is windy, cold, and raining, but the lights in the little downtown were bright and everyone was as superficial and consumed with their lives as usual. It seemed strangely normal. Things don’t change much around here.

But I don’t think I will ever live out here again. I like tall buildings, 24 hour diners, public transportation, and human diversity too much to leave.

Posted in Thoughts | Comments (2)

Edited:
Make not your dreams the hidden ways
instead
show me the path your dreams would take
dark eyes the doors to your cryptic mind
dark words the barrier to their lies
it isn’t enough to merely live
to bring the joy a soul must give

It isn’t enough to take my hand
to sing away my spirit’s fears
you dare not blink for fear of loss
your mind’s engaged with my streaming tears
think not of that melody
lay aside the saddest hymn
embrace
the simple light within
Read the rest of this entry »

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“It behoveth him who is a wayfarer in the path of God and a wanderer in His way to detach himself from all who are in the heavens and on the earth. He must renounce all save God, that perchance the portals of mercy may be unlocked before his face and the breezes of providence may waft over him. And when he hath inscribed upon his soul that which We have vouchsafed unto him of the quintessence of inner meaning and explanation, he will fathom all the secrets of these allusions, and God shall bestow upon his heart a divine tranquillity and cause him to be of them that are at peace with themselves.”

(Baha’u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries)

Posted in Baha'i | Comments (4)