Praying for Time
These are the days of the open hand
They will not be the last
Look around now
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers
This is the year of the hungry man
Whose place is in the past
Hand in hand with ignorance
And legitimate excuses
The rich declare themselves poor
And most of us are not sure
If we have too much
But we'll take our chances
'Cause God's stopped keeping score
I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned his back and all God's children
Crept out the back door
And it's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too much too late
Well maybe we should all be praying for time
These are the days of the empty hand
Oh you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year
This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here
So you scream from behind your door
Say what's mine is mine and not yours
I may have too much but I'll take my chances
'Cause God's stopped keeping score
And you cling to the things they sold you
Did you cover your eyes when they told you
That he can't come back
'Cause he has no children to come back for
It's hard to love there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too late
So maybe we should all be praying for time
1. About a year ago right a few weeks after my arrival in Tehran. Once I got on a taxi heading to Takht-e Tavous street. I got on a taxi that was no one in it except me and the driver! After being there for a few minutes a young girl who seemed to be in early 20s got on the taxi. After just 2 mintues, the girl started to talk. It went like this.
Girl: Can I get 45000 tomans?! I desperately need that some.
Driver: I don’t have such a money Ms.
Me: No, Ma’am. I don’t carry such an amount of money! (This is the truth because I used to put just a few hundreds tomans in my wallet, as a habit in Canada I was thinking I could get things with my bank and credit card!)
Girl: I would offer myself or anything you wish to have!!
Driver: No, Ma’am I am not the type you think!
Me: My month was open big time and looking at her with a surprise expression on my face, could not say a word!!
Girl: She continued, believe me I am not who you think I am! I am doing this because I go to school (university per say) (grabbing her bag and taking her university card out of it) and I live with 4 roommates. Our rent is due and I owe them 45000 tomans. So, that is why I offering myself.
We all remain silent for a few mintues then the driver said, ma’am I can’t do anything for you. Would you like to stay on the taxi?
Girl: No, thanks I will get off here.
Me: I was so frustrated and sad that for next 2 days I could not think properly!!
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2. A classic night with Louis Tjeknavorian
Last year during christmas time I went the the concert that I am describing below:
Perhaps, I could call this night one of the most memorable nights since my arrival in Tehran. This was called symphony of nations. It was held in Vahdat concert hall under Rodaki foundation by Hafez street. We first passed though an detector which are usually put in airport area. I suppose the reason is after what happened to Russia they are trying to be more be careful. The men and women entrance are separated! Inside the Vahtat hall, you would still see some paints that are there from the time before the revolution. However, they are very rare. I think there are only 3 of them. Inside the hall what struck me was the way the chairs were set up. There was no space between where to get in and where to get out. I mean suppose a person sitting right in the middle of hall wished to leave for washroom. He of course could pass from either side. That meant he should stepped on the foot of every singles individual on his way, because there was no space between two consecutive rows.
Without any doubt Mr. Tjeknavorian conducted 28 members of his orchestra with so much enthusiasm and joy that even the non-classical music lovers would homage to his honor. The occasion was 65. anniversary birthday of Tjeknavorian as well as 100. anniversary of Aram Khachetourian ( this year has been named Aram Khachehtourian year by UNESCO, as he described it).
The night we attended was Wallace night. The opening was Aram Khachehtourian from suite Masakard. Then he continue his work by Mozart and a solo piano player whose name was “Gotlip Omid Valish”. He said almost every member of this orchestra are Iranian! He claimed that if not both parents at least one of the parents are Iranian!
After intermission, he came back with works of Srauss. I think you know what is Strauss famous for I mean type of music!? Polka and Wallace.
He encouraged the audience to move themselves while they are sitting in a classical concert! He was telling the audience to put their hands together and follow the beats of the songs whenever he orders so! It was a teaching as well as entertainment night! It seemed he was there to make peace with people who are not in love with classical music. He would give a historical background for every suite or Allegro he had played.
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