A place of solace

the Meadows,

an assortment of life;

a juxtaposition of colors--weaved together

like

the Bayeux Tapestry.

The drummers beat,

the runners stomp

the dogs barking and the babies whining---a discordant symphony.

the evocative fragrance of the fresh blooms draws you in,

like the songs of the Sirens, and takes you back to

that Kiss.

A flight, instant euphoria.

intricate footwork

rhythmic guitars keeping the time

while the soloist lets his fingers run like Arabian horses through

the desert; they are wild and free.

There are melodious horns sounding out the

laughter,

the kind that makes one's heart soar.

The sun playfully dancing across the leaves, while

the oaks, in their fashion, sway gracefully to the music.

Students contemplating

life.

lovers basking in each other's adoration.

The soft whisper of the wind

and

bombastic cheers over a game-winning goal.

The unknown dancer pirouetting from cloud to cloud;

the world spinning; birds whistling a peaceful joy

spring is near.

A group of outcasts--old and unfashioned--gliding goofily

amongst the inviting green blades

and

without a worry.

Like infants in a sandbox, this is their universe

and

we are the ones imposing.

A man walking sternly

perhaps thinking of a lost love

while his best friend, in his aged-beaten fur coat, marches proudly behind.

A flock of gulls drift reverently through the atmosphere

like the notes of seasoned musicians.

The pen, tired from the day's work, goes to sleep for the night in the warm pocket.

Then the author gets up as he begins to walkaway, passing by the familiar sign, he can't help but

say "how I love this place of solace, how I love the Meadows."

Let us be the change we want to see in the world!

Dear Good People,

I hope all is going well in your life. My journey in Edinburgh as a Rotary International scholar has been incredible. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself as an individual, as a student and as a global citizen and greatly look forward to what the future has in store. I have been challenged academically and personally and my horizons have truly broadened.

I am writing you because of my deep love for music and to share my ideas without and my request for help and support. My love and passion for music has been enhanced greatly whilst living in this city, with its love of the arts and my interests have lead to a potential dissertation topic. Music and Peace have an incredibly interesting and profound relationship with one another. One which I am hoping to learn more about. Music in the international scene, and particularly in areas of conflict, is a topic that I feel is important and worthy of study.

In Kenya, the 2007 elections were followed by massive violence as clashes broke out between two tribal’s groups following President Kibaki’s win, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced and up to 1,500 were massacred. Since late 2007 and early 2008, Kenya has managed to resume a state of peace and the violence has subsided. My interest is the role of music in this realization of peace. Music as a mediating force, as a collective and shared love, as a means by which similarities are expressed and differences are forgotten. Kenyans and International scholars alike have begun to write on the peaceful force of music, with music videos, NGO formations and most importantly, Kenya won the bid for the 2010 International Peace and Music Symposium.

The opportunity is perfect, the topic is novel, the idea is innovative, and this is why I am set on going to Kenya. My plan is to carry out an empirical ethnomusic study, to gain understanding into how exactly music helped in the establishment of peace, to speak to those who lived through the conflict, to hear what their voices say. I am thus, asking for financial support. As a graduate student, my aspirations are large but my funds are limited. With your help, I can do something incredible and hopefully produce a Masters Dissertation that is innovative and written with passion and knowledge. I have set up a paypal account and will happily accept any donations. It is very simple to do and requires just a quick visit to www.paypal.com where you click ‘Send Money’ and then ‘Send to a Friend’ and enter my email wcody08@ymail.com. The site is safe, secure and well trusted. If I happen to receive an excess of what I need to cover my costs, all funds will be donated to a local school, my intention is to help out with a school’s music department.

Living in a time of such insecurity, I believe it is important to learn from all avenues how to achieve peace and tranquility. I believe the lessons learnt can serve as models for mitigating or even ending global conflicts.

“If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” –Jimi Hendrix

I thank you in advance for your consideration and affording me this opportunity.

Truly,

William G.A. Cody