Artwork
by Nawaf - Jordania
Prologue
& Acknowledgements
Taking words
apart is a hobby for me, truly an adventure. I love discovering the roots
of things especially words. I think they call it discovering the truth.
Poetry in its own way is truth and beauty. It is shape and a form a verbal
onslaught, discovery and gentility. I find that good poets write things,
they do not write about things, creating images and illusions. They bring
back the past in memory and recall defining what has happened. Poets brighten
or shroud and future and sharpen the now. Poetry arrives on a wavelength
unlike any other art form. Precious words pour forth from heart and soul.
Poets are the doctors of the soul and in looked upon to heal their brethren.
The Sanskrit root for poet is to gather. The old English derivation of
heal is whole. Thus, this book of world healing becomes a volume of words
gathered together by our brilliant and caring editor to make the world
whole again. In these days of strife, our fair editor Birgitta Jonsdottir
decided to fight fire with healing, hope and love. Instead of an eye for
an eye, Birgitta Jonsdottir offered heart. I am proud to be associated
with this project. I am proud to know Birgitta and many of the poets herein.
They offer one purpose, one solution for war. It is called communication,
it is called caring, all side can take lesson from the words in this book;
the book that you now hold in your hands.
Larry Jaffe, Poet, Los Angeles
Honorary Editor and Spiritual Guide for the Project
May 9, 2002
It is imperative that we overcome petty hatred, greed and jealousy. The
human race is at the cusp of great things, a great awakening, a great
coming together. We as artists, spiritual leaders and those with vision,
must not, cannot allow negative forces to dictate how our future shall
be. We have the power to change this. We must not sit back and do nothing,
for to do nothing would condemn all of humankind to oblivion.
This is a call for understanding, a quest for hope. Do not let the darkness
slither into our hearts. Damn the politicians and demagogues, this is
about us, the people. All races, all religions, all nationalities. We
must get the message across. Stop shedding blood in the name of religion.
Stop hating those that are different. Stop the violence. Learn to love
first, not fear first. Open the hearts and minds of the world, they must
see, they must understand.
We have a window of opportunity in which to do this. We must not fail.
Michael Lohr, Poet, Virginia
Co-Editor
May 6, 2002
When the towers collapsed something inside me collapsed as well. It reminded
me of the Tower card in the Tarot . Old values died, perhaps this was
an open door into awakening for us humans. Our world is trembling with
fear and all the consequences of fear. My first reaction to 911 was grief
and a very strong urge to do something. I started in my own heart. Mended
old wounds in my personal life. Michael Lohr was the catalyst for these
books. He suggested that my tiny publishing house Beyond Borders should
do something and I felt that he was right. So after asking my family what
they thought and getting positive feedback I went ahead and started this
adventure. Having been very much involved in the Internet and having had
so many doors opening through that medium I knew I could get the word
out.
The Book of Hope and The World Healing Book never had any shape in my
mind. It is more like energy that needs to manifest. I have just followed
my heart in this process. Two of the first people I asked for support
were Larry Jaffe & Ram Devineni. I had worked a little bit with them through
Dialogue Among Nations Through Poetry and I really felt that we had a
similar vision on how we see poetry and poets weave together a dialogue
of peace in our world. Both have been enormously supportive and without
them and Michael Lohr this would never had been possible. What has amazed
me the most in the process of putting all this together is all the poets
with vision and heart. It has kept the flame of hope burning in my heart
no matter what is going on around me. I feel the world needs Hope and
Healing now more than ever. I feel the sparks for soothing and awakening
to a world where peace and compassion is possible, are in this book. The
reality is that no matter where we are on this planet and from what background
we come from, we all have the same dreams and hopes. I can feel one heart
beat in the books. The heart of humanity.
I have always wanted to be able to help people that are struggling, specially
children. I never had the funds. But through the energy that has been
put into the making of this book, those funds will hopefully be available
for the children in Afghanistan - that was one of the big inspirations
to carry on no matter how late in the night I was working. I would never
have enough words to thank each and everyone that has taken part in this
project. I wish for joy, light and love for all of you . If there are
so many poets in our world willing to work for peace - there is hope.
Hope for a world beyond borders - where a dialogue of healing and hope
can take place and we can focus on the things that unify us rather than
separates us.
I want to thank my husband Daniel Johnson and my son Neptunus for their
support and love and the owner of Prentmet Gudmundur Ragnar for believing
in this project. I wish to thank our mother Gaia for all her gifts, I
wish to thank Higher power for being with me in this and everyone that
has contributed their time, work and love to this project. I feel that
it is not my project but ours - everyones that has put their energy in
it. And you dear reader are now entering into a community of hope and
healing. Welcome. I hope you will find what you are looking for within
this book.
Birgitta Jonsdottir, Reykjavik, Iceland
Editor
May
12, 2002
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