Gurfa
Imagine, like so many who live
invisible lives, you had to carry your water
each day. Five gallons in a jerry can for five miles.
It’s a simple formula: shoulder the burden
or die of thirst. In this way, you might
learn the meaning of what bearing
a handful of water
truly means.
A poem by David Holper
While summer is not over yet, at least where I am, while the outside games continue in some form, with children or alone, while summer fruits can still find a place on the tables, while we can be happy with watermelon without yearning for oranges, while the wind and the sun continue to prepare us for winter by sweetly caressing our skin left bare by our short-sleeved t-shirts and short shorts, I can say that I have the right and the mood to be interested in one more word that reminds us of summer.
Today we have before us a word that comes from somewhere in the middle of the world. It is so central to the world that the name given to the region where it is located is the Middle East. There is an Arabic word on our agenda today: Gurfa.
Gurfa means a handful of water.
What can be done with a handful of water?
It can be drunk to the fullest or used to wash your face to cool off on a hot day.
You can start a game guaranteed to make you laugh for minutes by splashing it as a wet surprise on your friend standing next to you.
It can be used to clean stained clothes.
A story can be created by imagining a red fish wandering in a handful of water.
At the very least, one can look at it with sincere faith and give thanks for its existence.
Very soon, many countries will have difficulty accessing potable water as climate change has gone from being a news item that scientists have warned us would happen in the near future to a threat to our lives. A handful of water, gurfa, may be a word we hear more and more.
Notes & Reads:
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is a meaningful read to deeply understand the value of water, even gurfa. It is a #1 New York Times bestselling novel based on the true story of two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, Africa, who carry water to their homes, covering a two-hour journey on foot.
Have a great week and weekend.
Till next week,
— Gulsun
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A profound existential word, which you gave some light-hearted twist and ended with a serious note on climate change. The book and author you have recommended are new to me. Sounds like an interesting read. Enjoy the summer's fruits as long as they last.
Cheers :)
Restoring our gratitude for gurfa.