All praise to Chris Garrett and Farid Shawky! I have been a follower and supporter of Chris's work and his blogs which are always informative and interesting. I am so happy that they have made real and substantial progress in Egypt. Egypt is such a changing and volatile country now, I can only hope the new Egypt will be more aware and empathic towards their Donkeys. I shall always support in particular The Donkey Sanctuary's overseas work, and I had the distinct honor to meet Chris Garrett during Donkey Week 2011. I told him he was one of my heros in life, so I am glad (but not surprised) he carries on his wonderful work with The Donkey Sanctuary. Now perhaps, a Donkeys tears can be lessened, and a whisper of a smile will return. Here is a poem that I wrote for the Donkeys of Cairo, passing by a large sculpture that an 'Arabesque' artist created in 2009:
This poem was written after I saw a great and beautiful tower of brick with Donkey images. Built in Cairo recently by an Egyptian artist in celebration of "Arabesque", a cultural and arts event happining that is soon coming to the United States. The artist said the Donkey image (carved into the bricks) symbolized for her, the suffering and hope of poverty. I wrote this poem to thank the artist as well as to perhaps, give a "Donkey" perspective to her creation. And I humbly thank, celebrate and honor the Sanctuary's own Sanctuary from Suffering Campaign.
Ode to a Donkey's Arabesque
I stand in front
Of this fine tower today.
And sense my image -
Three stories high am I,
And look how wide!
Comforting, I thought...
The donkey smiling in clay
As he bears the great load
His master's set aside
Brick by brick, I ponder, my eyes open wide...
I see tears lining this bower
Deep Inside.
This empty tower to suffering
Is yet a tower to hope
Filling this room with my image
And to the sky I look up
But I see the tears running slowly,
From top to bottom
And back up.
Whoever built this art
I listen to what they're trying to say,
I feel the load get heavier on my back
And hope, they too, hear my bray.
I lift myself up to the top
Of this tower of clay,
Alone with my image...
A Donkey! they say.
I smile and am glad
To be carrying their pain
I sanctify life,
In my own quiet way.
"I'm present to life" -
This bower of tears
Seems to say,
For I know Death
Is as easy
As turning away.