Ashley

“We need the possibility of escape as surely as we need hope.”
― Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

“Come in, my dear
From that harsh world
That has rained elements of stone
Upon your tender face.

Every soul
Should receive a toast from us
For bravery!”
― Hafiz, I Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope and Joy

“You don’t have to act crazy anymore—
We all know you were good at that,

Now retire, my dear,
From all that hard work you do

Of bringing pain to your sweet eyes and heart.

Look in a clear mountain mirror
See the beautiful ancient warrior
And the divine elements
You always carry inside

That infused this universe with sacred life
So long ago”
― Hafiz, I Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope and Joy

“I truly believe that everyone has a story and everyone's story counts.”
― Firoozeh Dumas, Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America