I have not posted on my blog for almost a year.  Life has been hectic and I have not taken the time, but an incident happened today that has prompted me to get back on here.  On the company bus on the way home from work today some colleagues and I were talking animatedly and feeling so happy (for a change, I might add, because life has been particularly stressful lately for most of us) that I suggested we have a sing - a - long.  I was asked - by a veiled, gloved colleague - not to sing, and when I asked why (silly me, I should have remembered) was told 'it was not allowed.'  There was an immediate, obvious shift in the mood at the back of the bus where we were sitting - from joy into despair.  I tried to shake off the negativity I was feeling after this ignorant, intolerant comment, but I couldn't.  I actually wanted desperately to get off the bus and take a taxi home, but everytime the bus stopped at a light it was never in the curb lane.  In an attempt to get a grip on my emotions I asked a friend if she had a pen, also got a scrap of paper from her, and started writing  a poem.  I finished the poem when I got home, posted it on face book, and am now posting it here.  I have met people from all over the world, from every religion and ethnicity since I left Canada almost two years ago, and most of my experiences have been positive ones.  I am not going to let this person's ignorance define my perception of the Middle East, or of the religion she professes to follow.

IGNORANCE

Wears many faces,

Professes many noble things,

Denigrates the rights of others,

Cloaks itself in righteousness,

Disguises hate with practised words,

Pretends faith where faith is lacking,

Demands conformity to its perverted view,

Spreads fear and loathing where it walks,

Cares not the damage that it causes,

Cannot raise its voice in song,

Does not celebrate diversity,

Offers malice, not good will,

Closes, does not open, hearts,

Destroys the joy it dare not grasp,

Bullies those who would be cowed,

Strengthens, does not weaken me,

Cannot silence my strong voice,

Dare not think I have been beaten,

Will not break my pride or spirit,

Has no power to touch my soul,

Because, in the end, it is only,

Ignorance.