The Invisibles
Subtitle: A Collection of Poetry & Artwork
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: October 31, 2003
Language: eng
Number of pages: 136
ISBN-13: 9780595750269
Subjects: humanity; the voiceless
Genres: poetry and art
First sentence: Dedicated  To  The Innocent People of the World

"Humanity survives through wisdom, courage, and justice.  Violence is never the answer to problems of the world.  
And, truth—the unconditional truth, is the key to humanity."     Donia Gobar

"Regardless of who, where, and when, we all are responsible for the path that humanity takes, and for what the history of humanity will hold for its future generations."     Donia Gobar
Description: The Invisibles,   a unique poetry & art collection reflecting  images created across the continents by Dr. Donia Gobar, a woman born and raised in  Afghanistan.


Reviews at Amazon.com:
Spirit, Imagination and Art Make this a Compelling Read, December 9, 2003 
By A Customer

If you wonder what the world is up to now, you would find this book an irresistible experience. I welcome the voice of a woman, whose homeland, Afghanistan, lies in tatters. The words created by this poet who speaks so clearly, yet with such grace, are a distinctive gift to those who listen. The art work shares visual images that are at times intense and compelling, and at other times soft and charming. Giving voice to passion and wonder, this new collection of poetry and art speaks from the past and through to tomorrow.
What an amazing mind to be able to humanize so much of the world! 

On the one hand, it makes it hard for one to run away and think . . . It's someone else's problem. 

On the other, so much of the beauty and understanding so thoroughly takes away one's breath. It takes you to the memories, angst, love, and special joy that life brings. So . . . hard to describe fully and with relish and awe this significant new entry into the world of books!

This is a book for those who wish to see the world through a new perspective. I really hesitate to excerpt any of Dr. Gobar's work, but I will, to give a whisper of what she shares. The only word I can think to describe this poem is to say she caresses her memories as she tells us of her birth land, in "Home." (excerpt)

" Would she ever see Bamyan Lake -
the liquid shimmering turquoise blue?
Where Buddha sculptures used to stare . . . 
Those peaceful dear old stone pair . . .

And will the children be running 
on clover-covered grounds,
starry-eyed,
grubbing,
holding 
the utopian skirts of tomorrow . . .
laughing, laughing . . . ?

Several of the poems concern the tragedy of war. One doesn't read "A Quarter of a century - Imagine" and "Hypocrisy" without
considering where the 20th and 21st centuries have taken us so far. She speaks from a unique personal and cultural perspective which has not been often heard.

With pathos and a deep, deep, understanding, she writes of reaching out to the hearts of children in "The Portrait in Ink" and "Do You Know Me?" among many others. If there is humanity in any of our hearts, the fragile child she describes speaks to all. 

A life well-considered will resonate with many readers as it did with me in poems, "Dance," "Before the End," and "The Cafe."

Her life in Europe and in the U.S. is reflected throughout her unique poetry and the art work which speaks eloquently from the pages. The understandings she shares of life as a child and parent suggest levels and nuances that most of us dream we could experience. 

This book of 41 poems and 18 prints of Dr. Gobar's paintings is eye-opening and mind-opening. 

   tapestry, January 5, 2004 
By  L. Knoll "jtknoll" (Pittsburg, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews 



This review is from: The Invisibles: A Collection of Poetry & Artwork (Paperback) 
A stunning collection of personal, intimate perspectives in poetry & art that reflect universal truths; told with an uncommon voice. One womans' incredible journey from her childhood home in Afghanistan to her place in the world. Dr. Gobar's book weaves the simple threads of experience in the country of her birth into a rich tapestry that covers all humanity. A rare and extraordinary find!
Notes: From the front cover in Hardcover front jacket:  "...an abstract mosaic of written and visual art -- each different, yet all connected through the core issues percieved by the author  -- all gathered around life, which in its patient warmth and beauty, in its cold unforgiving shadows, in its unpredictable blazes or blizzards, and in its boring uneventful circles -- always and always is able to turn pens and brushes into storytellers -- careless of their hoarse voices and bleeding cells, or their gentle lull of their senses ... still the stories will be remembered and will be told, arround the campfire of life."  The Invisibles: A Collection of Poetry & Artwork,  hardcover copy, front cover