Title: Lazar’s Prayer
Original Artwork by Omar Shamsi
Aspects of this work have been Digitally Assisted.
Original Poem to Go Along with the Artwork:
Title: Lazar’s Prayer
In a village nestled among rolling hills [both types dry hills and wet hills] , there lived a diverse community of people, each with their own beliefs and customs. They came from different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, yet they shared a common desire for peace, harmony, and understanding.
One day, a stranger arrived in the village, a traveler who had journeyed far and wide in search of wisdom and truth. As the villagers gathered around to welcome the stranger, they noticed something different about them—an aura of serenity, a depth of wisdom that seemed to transcend words.
Intrigued, the villagers invited the stranger to share their wisdom with the community. And so, on a warm summer evening, under the canopy of stars, the stranger began to speak.
“My friends,” the stranger began, their voice gentle yet compelling, “I come from distant lands, where people of all faiths and beliefs coexist in harmony. In my travels, I have learned that true wisdom lies not in the doctrines of any one religion, but in the universal truths that unite us all.”
The villagers listened intently as the stranger spoke of love, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace. They spoke of the importance of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness in fostering harmony within their community.
“As we journey through life,” the stranger continued, “we encounter many paths, each leading to its own destination. Some may choose the path of faith, finding solace and guidance in their beliefs. Others may walk the path of reason, seeking truth through inquiry and exploration. And still, others may forge their own path, guided by the light of their conscience and the wisdom of their hearts.”
As the night wore on, the villagers and the stranger engaged in deep conversation, sharing their stories, their hopes, and their dreams. They spoke of the challenges they faced, the conflicts that divided them, and the aspirations that bound them together.
And in the sharing of their stories, they discovered a common thread—a shared humanity that transcended their differences, a unity that embraced diversity, and a strength that arose from their collective wisdom and compassion.
As dawn broke over the horizon, bathing the village in golden light, the stranger bid farewell to the villagers, their hearts filled with gratitude and hope. And as they journeyed on to their next destination, they carried with them the memory of the village, a shining example of unity, faith, and wisdom in a world filled with division and discord.
And so, in the village among the rolling hills, the journey of unity continued, as the villagers walked hand in hand, guided by the light of their shared humanity, and the wisdom of their collective hearts.
As the sun set on another day, casting long shadows across the land, the villagers gathered once more, their voices raised in song, their hearts united in love, and their spirits uplifted by the eternal journey of faith and wisdom that bound them together.
For in the end, they knew that no matter where their journey took them, they would always find their way home, to the village among the rolling hills, where unity, faith, and wisdom reigned supreme.
Amen.
Poem by Omar Shamsi.
Digitally Assisted and Cooperatively Edited.