Marble mosaics and Art in the Sheik Zayed Mosque Abu Dhabi

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The ornate semiprecious inlays were exquisite.

Poetry – Just Think

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Just Think

If we put aside competition

For collaboration?

If we put aside division

For unity?

If we put aside hatred

For love?

If we put aside violence

For peace?

If we put aside exploitation

For partnership?

If we put aside control

For friendship?

If we put aside destruction

For construction?

If we put aside our fear of nature

For respect?

What a planet we could build!

Opher 2.5.2019

I often think of all the wasted time and energy that goes into policing, military protection, clearing up pollution, dealing with crime, caring for the injured after wars, trying to protect nature against wanton abuse, patching up damaged people and animals, fighting terrorism, fighting poverty.

What a waste.

All because some people want more than their share, some people want to impose their views on others, some people think they want an easy way.

What would the world be like if we all learnt to share, respect and get along?

Wouldn’t it be nice for everyone and everything?

Without Blades – A short film based on my poem Rebellion Extinction.

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Without Blades – A short film based on my poem Rebellion Extinction.

Posted on  by Opher

I was very humbled to find that a group of students had used one of my poems – Extinction Rebellion – to create a powerful short film.

Thank you Alex Galkowski, Nicola Stockdale, Nathan Wong and Iago de Parla – with thanks to Meegan Worcester, Freya Dohrn Ellefsen and Ethan Bishop.

Let us all hope that it helps a little to put the environment top of the agenda. We’re fighting for our planet.

Thank you guys – you’ve done me proud!https://www.youtube.com/embed/DUGxTTaaj7w?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Extinction Rebellion

The world is in a mess.

That’s not hard to see.

The plunder and the rape

Is killing bird and tree.

But there’s a rebellion against this extinction

Carried out with distinction.

Superglued to trains and building barricades

They’re fighting without blades.

They are fighting for the future

They are making a huge din.

They’re trying to wake us up

To what is happening.

For profit and gain

We are busy plundering.

Without a care for pain

Or a moment spent wondering.

But there’s a rebellion against this extinction

Carried out with distinction.

Superglued to trains and building barricades

They’re fighting without blades.

So long live the rebellion

I hope it wakes us up.

Greed is so destructive

We’ve got to give it up.

But there’s a wealthy bunch

Who just see the cash.

Unless they start to give a damn

We’re heading for a crash.

But there’s a rebellion against this extinction

Carried out with distinction.

Superglued to trains and building barricades

They’re fighting without blades.

Opher – 24.4.2019

What we have done to the world over these last few hundred years is criminal. Without regard to the destruction or the agony of the creatures caught up in it we have devastated the environment.

Things have got to change.

Animal population numbers are decimated. Many face extinction. The wilderness is being destroyed.

Nowhere is safe.

Thank heavens some people are prepared to fight for a better future.

Poetry – Extinction Rebellion

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Extinction Rebellion

The world is in a mess.

That’s not hard to see.

The plunder and the rape

Is killing bird and tree.

But there’s a rebellion against this extinction,

Carried out with distinction.

Superglued to trains and building barricades,

They’re fighting without blades.

They are fighting for the future;

They are making a huge din.

They’re trying to wake us up,

To what is happening.

For profit and gain,

We are busy plundering.

Without a care for pain,

Or a moment spent wondering.

But there’s a rebellion against this extinction

Carried out with distinction.

Superglued to trains and building barricades

They’re fighting without blades.

So long live the rebellion,

I hope it wakes us up.

Greed is so destructive,

We’ve got to give it up.

But there’s a wealthy bunch

Who just see the cash.

Unless they start to give a damn,

We’re heading for a crash.

But there’s a rebellion against this extinction,

Carried out with distinction.

Superglued to trains and building barricades,

They’re fighting without blades.

Opher – 24.4.2019

What we have done to the world over these last few hundred years is criminal. Without regard to the destruction or the agony of the creatures caught up in it we have devastated the environment.

Things have got to change.

Animal population numbers are decimated. Many face extinction. The wilderness is being destroyed.

Nowhere is safe.

Thank heavens some people are prepared to fight for a better future.

Poetry – I Hope

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I Hope

I hope you open your eyes

And see the world.

I hope you see the wonder

Of the creatures

We share it with.

I hope you do not sleep

Through your life.

There is so much

To see and do –

So much beauty.

It is so easy

To sleepwalk

Through it all.

One day you blink

And it is over.

Opher 16.4.2019

I feel that so many people go through life without recognising the great beauty and wonder they are surrounded with. Every breath is amazing, every blink reveals splendour, every sound, every touch and taste is there to be savoured.

The universe is wondrous. It is so sad not to recognise that and revel in it. Nature is inspiring.