There is no Beauty in Deceit

by Paula Hayden

there is no beauty in deceit

in lies told under cover of darkness

or blank-faced in open light for oft fleeting rewards

and there can be no forgiveness

Unpacking the Boxes

by Paula Hayden

I have put off unpacking the boxes

I know every single item in them

took my time wrapping the crystal

pondered over each souvenir

kept all the pictures of days happy

and not so happy

and have decided that I don’t need any of it

It is taking up space

anchoring me somehow in a place I am not

that was my life but

my life is not boxes or anything in them

I am living—free, happy

and boxless

In a Desert City

by Paula Hayden

 

purple stilettos sneak peeks

from underneath black

abayas blowing freely

Contributers, Spring 2011

Paula Hayden

If Paula were a colour, she would be yellow – bright and sunshiny, warm and comforting, a light of inspiration to those around her. Currently surviving the heat and dust of life in the MIddle East, Paula enjoys her job as a writing centre coordinator and facilitator of writing workshops. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her planning her next trip.

Lilian Mercedes Howell

Lilian was born in Argentina, spent some of her childhood in the UK, and eventually returned to Argentina where she lives today. She is married and has two sons, two daughters and four grandchildren. She has been a teacher of English and Principal at Asociación Pampeana de Cultura Inglesa in Santa Rosa, La Pampa, where she makes her home. Every year she attends a literary workshop held at the Retired Teachers’ Centre in her hometown and also travels to Doha to visit her daughter and son-in-law. On her last visit, she attended writing workshops held by the Advanced Writing Centre at the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar and was inspired to write this piece.

Denise Kruizenga-Muro

Denise is a professor of English and the director of the Writing and Reading Center at Riverside City College in Riverside, California. She is the mother of a nine-year old daughter named Kayleigh, and the owner of eight crazy cats and two lazy dogs.

Adam Larson

Adam joined CNA-Q’s Communications Department in August, 2007. Before coming to Qatar, he worked as a teacher in Ontario, Canada. Adam holds a B.A. in English and Linguistics and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He first came to the Middle East to conducted research in Yemen as a Fulbright Fellow. He subsequently obtained a B.Ed from the University of Toronto, then returned to the Gulf to teach. He is currently researching the development of technical education in the GCC for his doctorate with King’s College London. Adam enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with his family.

Brigitte Lepine

Brigitte currently works at Reach Out To Asia (Qatar Foundation) as an Online Education Specialist.

Julio O’Rourke

Julie is a retired engineer living in Doha.

Matthew Stranach

Matt is from Fredericton, NB, Canada. He currently teaches English overseas. He is also Ethan's dad.