What is a Ghazal?
I
had no idea (other than it is a poetic form from the middle east) until I read
the introduction to this wonderful work. I didn't look it up because I
was enthralled with the content of this beatific book! I didn't know James Foley, but my friend Yago Cura was his good
friend. Hinchas press (Yago Cura publisher) just recently published a
book of Poetry entitled Ghazals for Foley. This is a striking collection
of poems written by people to James Foley posthumously. The book also
includes a short story written by Foley that is utterly fascinating, intriguing
and beautiful. I feel like I got to know Jim Foley via these poems and
his short story. The intensity of a life so well lived is reason for a
celebration.
The
poems vary in quality according to my taste, but there are some really striking
and personal words here. They are all beautiful and in deeply
personal. The poets range from well-known writers, to other war correspondents,
to writing teachers and students of James Foley.
I've
got a bad Sufi feeling, Jim.
That
road-those trees-
The
light shifting in the Mountains-
Don't go, Jim.
Please-don't
go.
It
was a Thursday,
And
you were on your way home.
Jim,
I have a bad Sufi feeling.
Bad
Sufi Feeling by Claire Morgana Gillis
Even
if you aren't much of a poetry fan, the emotion of these poems is striking and
hits home.
Through
these poems I learned that James Foley was a Journalist, a Friend, A Lover, a
Student, A Teacher, an artist and a great American among many other things.
What
does it mean to be American?
What
does it mean to be human?
What
did it mean to be James Foley?
This
works gives you just a bit of an insight into this brave soul.
These
poems are ALL full of love for humanity and for James Foley.
This
collection is describes the real man, not the man who was used to manipulate
world hatred against Islam. It seems like every political, religious and
other faction wanted to use James Foley’s death for his or her own
benefit. This work helps mitigate that in my mind. It
humanizes and reclaims Mr. Foley for his friends, his family and for people,
like me, who didn't even know him.
 |
| James Foley: Writer |
The
short story at the end of this book was the best thing about it for me. I
had never really read anything by Mr. Foley and his work does not fail to
impress. The story is artistic in the sense that it touches on human
emotions like love, loneliness, fear, adventure and respect. It also
gives one a snapshot into what life is like in a "green zone."
I often wonder what people do in such places, what people think while
behind these walls and how they interact with locals. This story
satisfies and piques many of my curiosities. I don't know many people
who have been to the wars in the Middle East, and have not asked those who have
what it was like.
I
was going to write more about this book, but you will get much more from it by
ordering it and reading it here:
12.95
ISBN: 978-0-9845398-7-1
