Poem - Heaven Knows - Dedicated in loving memory of my mother Jill.

Heaven knows.

Difficult choices
that's the way it goes,
and how it pans out
only Heaven knows.

Moments when
life rejoices,
amongst a World
of voices.

Trying to live
your life by example,
when all you end up
getting is a sample.

Being the life and soul
right here and now,
that only time
can allow.

The journey that
leaves you tired,
when all you yearned for
was to be inspired.

It took guts
to follow your truth,
of that you
were living proof.

Trying to understand
your pain,
that was like
a heavy chain.

Bright, cheerful and optimistic
in so many ways,
your spirit lit
up the days.

Child, woman,
wife and mother,
you''ll always be
Jill to us and no other.

Life moves and flows,
and your a part
of love now
which Heaven knows.

Love and light

Peter James
xxx

Poem 2012

2012


It's December 21st,
and existance
is about to
burst.

That's to do
with 2012,
and how deeply
we delve.

That dates
alarmed them,
rather than lyrics
by REM.

What from the
heaven's shall
descend,
to terminate this end.

I'll be back,
and Independence Day
brings out
The Men in Black.

Looking for a
Vulcan with pointed ears,
after having not seen a good
Star Trek in years.

2012 and gettng ready
to die,
play it again Sam,
As time goes by.

The Jungle drums
are beating,
the same CNN News report
that's been repeating.

Around the clock
and over again,
what time is it coming,
we'll let you know when.

Love and light

Peter James
xxx

Iran and the bigger picture

The wheel of History has turned many times. Empires have risen and fallen. People have endured and overcome terrible persecution throughout the ages.

20 years ago, the Berlin Wall came to an end. The pace of change, was too great for anyone nation to stand up against.

Iran now faces that dilemma. The old guard, will attempt to halt it's own Citizens evolution. Even through the expansion of global communications It has meant many nations have matured.

Back in 1979, Iran went through a significant revolutionary change. But it wasn't Democratic, and the only way to implement control was through using instruments of fear.

They are a great people, and many have quickly caught on to using the Internet at great risk.

The current Iranian system of Government, can accuse the United States all it wants about propaganda Internet usage. But they to, are a great people who have modernised and adapted to technological advancement. They fundamentally believe in Freedom of speech.

Politicians come and go. That is part of the Democratic process.. Iran has pointed the finger one too many times, particuarly at the United States.

In January 2009, what was once the unthinkable happened. A man of mixed origins, rose to become the most powerful man on Earth. He also has an Islamic heritage on his father's side. Had he been born less than 300 years ago, it would have been only into the suffering and plight of slavery.

The United States has a revolutionary past. They overcame tyranny and persecution. It even meant experiencing a savage and brutal Civil War, which resulted in the Emancipation of the slaves.

The election of Barack Hussein Obama, as the 44th President, was beyond people's wildest dreams. It was no less revolutionary.

It's taken a long time to witness that kind of sweeping change. It's not a perfect country by any means. Yet their hope resides in preserving the fruits of Democracy. Poltically, America has come of age.

If the Iranian people can come to grips with that fact, then their future can be a brighter one.

What the Islamic Goverment doesn't want to recognise is, the Genie was let ouf of the bottle long ago. People have a right to express their views and opinions. Iranian women have to be equal citizens.

If the authorities do not recognise that, then a growing consciousness of change has to emerge. Hopefully it can be achieved peacefully. Modern warfare has shown it'self to be too costly, Politically, economically, and emotionally. There are too many deep Psychological scars that go with it.

If the people of Iran can write blogs away from the snooping eyes of what has become a dictatorship. Then they really cane make a difference. For it's not just the hear and now. By the next generation born, most people will be Computer literate. That can introduce growth in ways that was never deemed possible before.

If Iran could be a shining example of what citizens could do with the Internet. Imagine what other changes could occur elsewhere.

The Pen is mightier than the Sword. Words can be the right ammunition at the right place in time.

The 1990's was a revolutionary time. Global communications changed the way we live our lives. It was expanding at such speed.

Developing nations are now beginning to be provided with the essential computer equipment for schools. It's continually educating us.

Iran is no less different. This country's people are noble and courageous and recognise the potential of modernisation.

If they get this right. A new chapter of History will be discussed for generations as to how they did it.

One final point. If Hitler and the Nazi's had available to them the Internet. Then they could have really clamped down on dissent. Fortunately that was another time. Yet it goes to show the power of fear, especially where dictatorships are concerned.

A recent trip to Barcelona Spain

It had been 13 years since I was last in Spain. That was a trip to an Andalucian white hill town called Coin.

My sister lives and works as a Teacher in Barcelona, and she invited me over for a visit.

I was staying in a nice part of the city called Vallcarca. There was a Mountain that rose above the city called Tibidabo. It overlooked the city, all the way to the Meditterenean, and stunning views of the surrounding hills were clearly visible.

There was a Church on top of it called the Temple segrat Cor.. I didn't make it quite to the top, on account of getting lost. There is a Fenicular railway that goes up. That is far easier, especially when it's hot.

At night, the Church was lit up.

There was nothing better I liked, than walking around the city streets and down small alleyways.

Barcelona has a good public transport system, but I only used it when neccessary. It was good that the Metro was air conditioned.

Les Ramblas is an attractive street, and particuarly enjoyed walking around an indoor market close by.

Catalunya wields it's own charm. It was an interesting area.

One evening, my sister, her boyfriend, and myself, heard some music close by. We followed it. In some Church grounds, a free open air concert of Spanish Folk music was being performed. People were dancing the night away.

Where there were crowds, was Beer, that was ice cold and being sold for a Euro.

Up in the Pyrenee Mountains, they have concerts, and many come from miles around. They dance all night long, and when tired, fall asleep in the streets. By early morning, you see Men, women, children, and Dogs, all sleeping next to one another.

There are areas of the city that are away from the centre, and have an identity of their own. Up around Fontana, are many squares with open air cafes, and restaurants. At night, you could see families sitting out and enjoying the good weather.

I took a trip to Barceloneta Beach. It was created around the time of the 1992 Olympic Games. It's over 4 kilometres long, and there are paths for Cycling, Roller blading, and walking.

There was a workout area on the beach. I called it Barcelona's version of Muscle Beach in Los Angeles. not that I had been to LA, but had seen it on TV. No way, were the people performing physical exertions, in the same shape as the bronzed Californian butch types.

What came as a surprise was, that people could go nude on the beach. Amongst sun worshippers, were those who were open enough to go back to nature. I looked the otherway towards the sea, as I didn't want a mouthful in Spanish. Ten years ago, my eyes would have been gazing at all the lovely Spanish women.

Parque Guell- Gaudi's park was nice. from one side leading up to it. There is an Escalator, that then requires some walking and climbing steps. Then another Escalator appears, and eventually it's all up hill from there. It was like one of the steep hill gradients in San Francisco. i remember that well enough from my trip there back in 94.

I used to enjoy sitting in a cafe and drinking my first morning cup of coffee. It was far better in flavour and aroma, than back home in the UK.

As I was on a limited budget, I tried to look carefully for cheap places to eat. If you frequent the Les Ramblas main street, well that is a rip off tourist area. Away from the main streets, it's possible to find more affordable places to eat. I had a Kebab in an Arab dstrict. Unlike back home, it was served toasted, rather than in Pitta Bread.

I used to do exactly the same on the couple of trips I made to Paris. Eating in the Latin quarter was less pricier.

Plas Espanya was nice. A water fountain lights up to music. It's a Summer show run mainly for tourists.

Cuturally, Barcelona and Gerona where I also visited, have a unique identity of their own. This is Catalonia, and has it's own language. Particuarly in Gerona, you hear Catalan being spoken rather than Castillian Spanish.

Gerona is a pretty University city. It's close to the airport, but has such diversity and culture all of it's own. After lunch, it was pleasant to walk around the cobbled streets. There was also an attractive park to walk aroumd, or just sit down and relax. It had beautiful gardens.

This trip, had certainly left a good impression on me, and I look forward to going back again.

Barcelona definetly is now one of my favourite cities from my travels. It's up there with Paris and Budapest.

Poem - Great strides

Great strides

Sometimes it's evolving
in impressive
leaps and bounds,
that does the rounds.

Achievements
beyond comprehension,
that grabs people's
attention.

The path upon which
nature provides,
to leave and dream
of making great strides.

The new can
appear insane,
that works on
a different plane.

Not always providing
material success,
great strides are important
nevertheless.

Providing images
that are fast paced,
through this World
we've raced.

From the wonderful
lyrics of Bob Dylan,
to medicine
providing Penicillin.

Our lives handed
a remote control,
creating a
gold fish bowel.

Discovering so
many bacterias and bugs,
when what everyone
needs are more hugs.

We all go
the same way,
yet great strides happen
everyday.

Consciousness can
move so much,
as great strides
reach out to touch.

Love and light

Peter James
xxx

Poem - Breaking down walls

Breaking down walls

20 years ago,
a fresh wind
of freedom
began to blow.

Nothing had
been certain,
under the tyranny
of an Iron Curtain.

Sweeping changes
occurred,
as a shout of freedom
was heard.

Others want
to climb that hill,
from persecution
they've had their fill.

They will not
remain silent,
in lands that
are violent.

In countries
that are wealthy,
but where ideas
are not healthy.

With an instrumental
rigid rule of Law,
it's all happened
before.

It's a long
and difficult slog,
where suffering's are
posted on a blog.

This is some
poor souls plight,
who still possess
the guts to fight.

Their tragedies
they won't forget,
that'll find their way
onto the Internet.

For they're
breaking down walls,
as liberation
calls.

Love and light

Peter James
xxx

Poem - Change

Change

Change can be
a good thing,
restoring the hope
it'll bring.

Holding on
to the past,
and pain
will last.

Sitting in
silence forever,
taking a stance
of whatever.

Allowing the
dust to settle,
after the
smouldering metal.

A fiery furnace
human kind creates,
upon which the
reality meditates.

An unsatisfactory
conclusion,
that reveal the cracks
of illusion.

Change is
always coming,
like the distant
sound of drumming.

To be heard
everywhere,
as oppression
is made aware.

For discontentment
won't fade away,
channelling energy
into a brighter day.

Change is the
cross we bare,
that communicates
concern and care.

Love and light

Peter James
xxx