Accelerated Adolescence

I like Violetta's smile

Reading her recent entry titled, "A fumbling search for Africas" I was moved back to my experiences in Gambia. Briefly, no longer floating in a daze in the hazy overcast days of the midwest, i removed to an exotic destination where the days were bright and crisp and everything had a feeling of being slightly overexposed. The ruddy brown of dirtsand colored my clothing and my unshaven, disheveled face reflected a stranger to me. How often I managed to avoid the cameras!

What a bright time! What a dark time!

My life has become a negative image of its previous self. When I stepped onto the plane that took me to Gambia I was a foreigner, a stranger, a Tubab. I own these attributes, will never relinquish them. Next will be vagabond. even still, the colors and emotions become strange and alien to life. I stand at a window and see the blackness of snow, fiery grass, a violet moon, and a dark sun. Even, now, were I to return to the blessed wretchedness that is Africa, wars, starvation and disease, people, I would experience life differently.

Once upon a time, for a night, in Gambia, I shared a room with a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Auxiallary Board Member for Protection. On the Eve of Christmas, like three wise men, we gathered to say prayers together before they ventured to witness the birth of Christ in a foreign land. The next day they travelled to Senegal to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Faith there. Perhaps that night, most significantly, caused a road to Damascus epiphany for me. the lucidity with which I saw the world, mingled with their humble prayers for a discontented continent, desperately beseeching our Lord for unity, safety, and wisdom... desperately beseeching God for the safety of their sisters and brothers.... I witnessed what the Faith was for these two gentlemen. Life.

Socially, familially, these men have been cast from their homes by their dearest for their faith. To see them is to see their soul, brazenly displayed beyond their bodies. A whole continent set ablaze! One day may my children meet people who's entire livlihood is dependent upon the Faith of Baha'u'llah. Their eyes are like piercing flaming spears that search your soul but, gently, don't look where you are ashamed. Life, they breathe life! Patient, they speak firmly against the terrors of the contitnent. To know that such people are capable of existing inspires the heart and moves the soul.

Argentina you distant friend, you are to be my next dear country. I have come to realize the truth of the necessitty to love one's country, it makes it possible to love others, to make Gambians, Israelis, Argentinians, your new family and new passion. May we exalt the world and may God enkindle the souls of all humanity. Bring to life this lifeless organism! Breathe life into this lowly mass! Sculpt and mould this clay that it may more befittingly exalt Thy praise!

For my loving family, I have no reason or explanation but Argentina has recently been calling to me. In day-dreams, in my sub-conscious, my thoughts are on Argentina. First, I was considering Honduras but have been so impelled towards Argentina that Kristen and I are now discussing plans to one day pioneer to Argentina. Perhaps a new infusion of Dornbrook is needed.

When the swords flash, go forward! When the shafts fly, press onward! O Thou Sacrifice of the Worlds.

Dost Thou wail, or shall I wail? Rather shall I weep for the fewness of Thy champions, O Thou Who hast caused the wailing of the worlds.

Posted by Mendon at January 28, 2005 12:23 AM