A wish

I wish to be a wing of a plane,
Just one will do,
Such power and strength as it glides in the unpredictable skies,
Despite turbulence through clouds, 

It goes on.

Fused of many metal bits, screws holding it all together,
It’s solid, sure, safe, and magnificent,
Carrying tired passengers as they close their windows to snooze,
Its design impeccable, revolutionary, yet humble,
It’s a silent warrior, resisting against the outside pressure, peacefully,
Pushing with full force, yet doing so effortlessly,
Above the diverse shades of green,
As per the Pilot’s word.

Birds vs. Buildings

There are two types of poems birthed to light,
A crafted sort, built like a home.
Refined structure, foundation, detail,
Blueprints to marvel at.

Consultants of the highest calibre reviewed the plans,
And they went to town, all pieces changed.
Balconies facing East, will now face West,
The glass ceiling with a rooftop terrace,
Each tile and ornament chosen like a science,
With neurosergeon’s percision, dancer’s balance.

The other poem arrives without warning,
Flutters effortlessly much like a feather in the wind,
It lands into your hand, and then another,
Until a precious bird takes form,
Which direction did it come from?
Will there be another, will it return?

And just like that,
A hummingbird of emerald,
Sometimes a crow revealing darkest tales,
A darling dove detailing deepest wisdom,
A sparrow singing songs of spring.

If sent your way,
Greet gently birds of knowledge,
And draw its features on a page,

Don’t worry if people don’t believe you,
That just like this, the birds came forth today.

When winter comes, the birds stop coming,
You put your drawing pencil far away,
You know the season’s changing when a feather,
Effortlessly sails with the breeze,
Delivering to you awaited keys.
Draw, please.

Flying with the Wind

I am but a balloon flying aimlessly through the open skies, wishing to be guided by the Merciful Wind in any direction that is suitable to reach the end destination of Light. To land in sea or shore is irrelevant, or to even land at all. Flying with the Wind is my wish.

In Your Absence

In your absence, romanticizing you to perfection, Remembering no wrong or fault, You're flawless in my memory. And when I return, I feel my soul activated, My senses jump start, kissed awake after a century's curse, I become human.

I'm grateful not out of mere obligation, No this feeling, ever present like the snowflakes on the Alp mountains, I finally taste one, a child of the sand deserts sees a fountain, spilling intangible purity.

I learn not, yet become myself in your presence. Your wisdom needs not preaching, I hear it in each footstep, Tea cups refilled with fresh essentials to remind my heart it's home once again, "Don't leave again," it asks me. I cannot answer as I've got no reasonable solution, I'll gather what I can in our brief moments, In that crystal ball I'm unable to describe to anyone in words.

They call me obsessed and I take it as a compliment, It's justified, it's incomparable to any single experience, They've never been here, and if they claim to, Haven't tapped into this pristine dimension, Of dream like miracles here on Earth, Why was I let to glimpse this world?

Let my ashes spread within your soil, Let my roots quench their thirst of your knowledge, Let me be in your presence, that's all I ask for, Whatever land my journey takes me, I long to walk your pathways, You, envelop my imagination, My words simple, here gain dimension, Your aura magnetic, My eyes learn to cry, Through witness of mercy and unseen before generousity, Of your folk.

When I'm away, I question what others question me about, What is it about you that melts my apprehension, Refusing to choose another, You live on the tip of my tongue, And...I take good care of you,

Forget my troubles, I beam, at the sound of your name, I know I own this, This gift of knowing you, They think twas a dream,

Oh Istanbul, we know it was reality.

Suitcase

A suitcase encompassing nothing, an illusion of volume, anticipation of carefully folded treasures of a journey. Empty, slowly unbuckling under the weight of wishes of its owner, suitcase, full of packed up nothingness, opened up excitedly to reveal disappointment, yet weightlessness.

Bosnia Bridges

Bosnia

So many fairy-tale-esque towns and villages to visit, not to miss: Sarajevo and Mostar!

Where To Stay &Why:

Sarajevo

Old Town Accommodations Home - Dzemal and his hospitable mother make you feel so warm and welcome, like you're visiting relatives from out of town. They will offer you Bosnian coffee and advice on where to visit. I had a spacious private room with a key, and a gorgeous lookout from the outside terrace. Note: ask about the heating in the winter, as I visited this cozy home in August.

Mostar

Deny Rooms - not to reject his rooms before you get there, actually the young man's name is Deny (pronounced Deh-nee) who welcomes you Bosnian style, with Bosnian coffee, family like chatter and a quick overview where to go and what to see. Deny also offers group tours to his guests to special and less known places of Bosnia, and I would take the same tour again without a hesitation. Bring swimming gear, photo gear, water and expect to stay the day out, immersed in nature, culture, and more! Sigh...


What To See:

Sarajevo

1. Kamarya Point of View - on the way here you will find a lookout that is the treasure for any photographer. If you choose to shoot the sunset or sunrise, do expect it to be chilly, even during the hottest time of the summer. But don't worry, that's why Kamarya Cafe will warm you up with tea, coffee, cakes and a gorgeous view behind glass. This place is CLASS and away from tourist attractions.

2. Hunkar Mosque - remarkably gorgeous gardens that eventually lead to the prayer hall. If you find "Sarajevo Prayer Times" on Google, you can better orient yourself when the mosque doors will be open. Some mosques stay open for all at all times, however some are only open during the 5 prayer times of the days, so to make your trip worth it, check the timings! Built in 1457, one of the oldest standing built in Ottoman style mosque.

3. Streets - walk away from the touristy attractions (away from Sebilj) in the direction of Mihrivode neighborhood and explore the traditional door designs and heart-breakingly, the many recent tombs along the way.

4. Museum of Crimes Against Humanity - will tear you up inside, and squeeze all the tears out of you, and thus you'll feel humanity left within you. The tragic stories of survivors told on video are truly unbelievable, but in need of our knowing. This story will move you.

Mostar


1. The trademark of the town is the Old Mostar Bridge and if you want a unique viewpoint of it from afar, visit the Koskin-Mehmed Pasha's Mosque, with little to no tourists and get the absolute best shots in any weather.

2. Try to take a tour to the close by town Pocitelj, which also has a gorgeous lookout from its old fort onto the river and Bosnian mountains. If you stay in Deny's rooms, he will take you there and tell you its entire magical story.

Be Spring, Be Sunrise

When a tree loses all its leaves,
It waits for spring.

When the petals of a flower are asleep,
They await sunrise.

If the sea wishes to reach the shore,
It waits for the wind to carry it.

If the stars wish to show their dance,
They wait for darkness.

When the ground suffers thirst,
It waits for clouds to give.

When your life's load's much to bear,

Wait.

For every pain, there's an elixir.
In someone else's waiting, longing, wishing...
Be spring,
   Be sunrise,
      Be wind,
         Be light or darkness,
Wherever you go, gift solutions and answers.

Can't Make You Love Me

What a powerful song, heart wrenching and ever so relevant to those who love unconditionally, as if the heart made a choice without consulting the mind, and on it goes, without reciprocity. 

Best version of this song thus far: by Tank

Click on the video to pause the loop

Ulibka (Smile)

VINES: Russian traditional song
click on video to pause the loop

Snowflake

Tell me a secret,

Why are you a hexagon and not a heptagon,

Delicate designs,

Reflecting sunshine,

Your secret's safe with me.

Having six arms,
What are you reaching for?

Surrounded by friends,

Traveling towards them,

And resting among same,

Until spring.

Delicate designs, 

Replaced by puddles,

Still reflecting sunshine,

Running off

Without arms