The Flame by Stephen Gill is a sprinkler of peace in the
dark cloudy nights of terrorism
Dr. Nazir Bhatti
In recent years when the explosions of dynamite and
roars of the mortars are deafening humans and the dance of
terrorists is posing a real threat to human liberty, the Flame by Dr. Stephen Gill is a sprinkler of peace.
While the rising blaze of terrorism is swallowing humanity, The
Flame suggests to control
this blaze by using the water of peaceful means. It is a unique experience to read the longest poem ever
written on terrorism that illustrates the ultimate solution towards peace.
The
Flame is the latest book written by Dr.
Stephen Gill, who has authored many volumes to express his vision. During
current disastrous geo-political situation in different parts of the world when
a majority of writers prefer to be silent, Stephen Gill is a voice in wilderness
but in truth he is a real champion of peace.
The
peace poetry in the present era is still a rare commodity. A majority of poets are silent about the
burning olive leaves by the cruel hands of terrorists. The destination chosen
by Stephen Gill to spread the fragrance of peace with his
poetry strengthens the efforts of leaders who struggle for harmony.
I wrote
poems during my school days and passionately read poetry of famous Urdu poets.
I was fond of poetry, which had short lines, because that indicated a full
control of the poet on his or her work. It was amazing to read Jazeera, a collection
of Urdu poems of Stephen Gill, where nearly all poems have short lines. This
reveals the soul of each poem in a few words—a difficult job indeed.
The
Flame is about a long history of peace
expressed in every verse in solid form and with fresh imagery, which make the
Flame a masterpiece. The Flame is not the flame of terror
but the flame of peace.
I do not
know, why Stephen Gill is still a blossom in
wilderness when he deserves to be a renowned envoy of peace of some esteemed
organizations and on the peak of his fame. It seems that the world still
accepts readily those who write about sensational aspects, violence and sex, instead of those
who write peacefully for peace.
Dr. Nazir Bhatti is the editor-in chief of Pakistan
Christian Post. His book The
Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation is
going to be released in May 2008.
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Comments
invited. To know about the Flame, please go back to the web site (www.stephengill.ca) and look for the
Flame,
sampled on the
left side. Or write for a copy of this 152 page book, beautifully presented,
for $10.50 including postage and shipping charges within