The clock cracks midnight, a fractured chime, A year departs, leaving whispers of time. What ghosts of memories shall we embrace? What promises etched on a future’s face?
Through gilded laughter and bitterest tear, We cross the threshold, a year drawing near. Will it bloom vibrant, a canvas unsullied? Or echo the shadows, past battles undying?
The Earth, a witness, with mountains so grey, Has seen countless dawns paint with gold and with clay. Will human whispers disturb her repose? Or heal the scars where our greed often grows?
In the mirror’s reflection, a question takes flight, Will we build bridges, or walls in the night? Will empathy’s embers ignite a new flame? Or fan the embers of prejudice and blame?
The future yawns open, a void yet unseen, A tapestry woven, threads yet unforeseen. But in the silence, before the sun’s ray, We hold the brushstrokes, to choose our own way.
Let echoes of courage replace echoes of fear, Let whispers of kindness banish whispers of tear. With open hearts and hands reaching true, May 2024 be the dawning anew.
In the eloquent words of James Baldwin, “The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.” This profound statement encapsulates the essence of love as a dynamic force that transcends conventional boundaries, shedding light on the intricate dynamics within relationships.
Baldwin’s choice of the term “mirroring” implies a reflective quality inherent in love. To mirror someone is to hold up a reflection, allowing individuals to see themselves in the eyes of those they love. In this mutual reflection, there is a profound exchange where vulnerabilities, strengths, and nuances are laid bare. Love, then, becomes a profound act of self-discovery through the eyes of another.
The concept of magnifying each other’s light adds a layer of depth to Baldwin’s perspective. It suggests that love has the power to amplify the positive aspects within individuals, acting as a catalyst for personal and collective growth. In the context of friendship, family, or romance, this magnification of light becomes a shared endeavor, where individuals not only recognize but also enhance each other’s unique qualities.
Baldwin’s assertion challenges the notion of love as a passive or static emotion. Instead, he presents love as an active and ongoing process, a labor of devotion that requires conscious effort and intention. Love is not merely a noun but a verb, an intricate dance of mirroring and magnifying that unfolds over time.
In dissecting Baldwin’s words, we find an invitation to explore the transformative potential of love. It prompts us to reflect on our relationships and consider the ways in which we engage in the reciprocal acts of mirroring and magnifying. It urges us to be mindful custodians of the light within ourselves and others, fostering an environment where love flourishes and illuminates the paths we tread.
In essence, James Baldwin’s quote unveils the intricate tapestry of love, portraying it as an active and transformative force. Through the acts of mirroring and magnifying, love becomes a dynamic process of self-discovery, growth, and shared illumination. The longer we live, the more we are beckoned to embrace love as a continual work of devotion, reflecting and amplifying the radiant light within each other.
The tale of Sisamnes, the corrupt judge from 500 BC, serves as a stark morality play, encapsulating lessons about justice, accountability, and the consequences of corruption. At its core, the story reflects the ancient belief that corruption and abuse of power cannot go unpunished.
Sisamnes, driven by greed and moral decay, symbolizes the perversion of justice for personal gain. His fate, being skinned alive, signifies the extreme punishment reserved for those who betray the principles they are sworn to uphold. The brutality of the punishment emphasizes the severity with which society views corruption, aiming to deter others from following a similar path.
The choice of using Sisamnes’ skin to upholster the chair for his son Otanes introduces an additional layer of moral complexity. It suggests that the consequences of one’s actions extend beyond the individual transgressor to affect their progeny. Otanes, sitting on a chair made from his father’s skin, inherits not only a position of power but also the burden of his father’s corruption. This serves as a cautionary tale about the generational impact of unethical behavior and the importance of breaking the cycle of corruption.
The narrative prompts reflection on the responsibility of those in power to maintain integrity and the potential long-term repercussions for themselves and their descendants. It underscores the idea that true leadership involves not just the exercise of authority but the conscientious stewardship of justice and ethical conduct.
In essence, the moral of the story is a timeless one – that corruption erodes the very fabric of society, and the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of justice carries severe consequences, not only for the individual but for the legacy they leave behind.
Embakasi Reloaded 