day four

“For within the grasp of Thy hand Thou holdest the determined measures of all things.”

The Báb

“My God, Whom I worship and adore! I bear witness unto Thy unity and Thy oneness, and acknowledge Thy gifts, both in the past and in the present.”

Bahá’u’lláh

Anyssa/left (new york, u.s.a.): a tiny little fast poem:

dawn rises quiet

as tea cups ring busy

pray God, bring dusk

to New York City

 

Bobby/right (sydney, australia): This day of reflection, although during the Fast, is not entirely about fasting. Last year, on this day, my uncle Ali-Muhammad Aazami passed away. Less than one month later, on April 1st, my other uncle, Manuchehr Hedayat, also passed away. What was rather difficult and hard to bear about their sudden departure was how this love that was once fostered towards my brothers and I since our childhood was now randomly and, seemingly, cut. In their absence, I found myself withdrawn, buried in my work and looking for solace through my photography. Destiny also played her silent role, and as a result of my participation in last year’s 19 Days project, I became charmed and, shortly thereafter, smitten by my soon-to-be wife, Fiona.

There are many things I can be grateful for during this period of Fasting. Both my parents and my brothers have their health; I have moved to a new continent; and, in no less than 18 days, I will marry my partner in the truest sense of the word. There are, however, no earthly words that can adequately bring to life an expression to validly describe the gratitude I feel towards both my uncles as they conspired from that Invisible World and brought to existence before my eyes a gift so unique, so refined, and so needed, as her. As one year has now fully passed to the day, I would like to honor in my submission both Ali-Muhammad Aazami and Manouchehr Hedayat, due to their loving presence, which still continues to be a force in my life.