Fifth Journey Day 95: Gesture of the Small Girl’s Hand
Date: August 11, 2025
Location: Shiraz, Iran
I spent a lot of time today in the courtyard of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque. It was quiet, even before I went in. It felt like the quiet came from focusing on the present moment, not from the absence of movement. Inside, the stained glass casts pools of colored light onto the tiled floor. I watched it move — almost imperceptibly — as the sun shifted. Pale pinks, greens, and a sudden stripe of blue. I didn't draw. I didn't need to. My body was still, and my mind was quiet.
Some other visitors came and went, walking quietly and respectfully. One sat nearby, a small girl tracing her hand in the light with a quiet sense of wonder. Her movements reminded me of brushwork — she started off a bit uncertain, but then became more fluid. I couldn't stop thinking about that little dance routine.
Later, I walked around the nearby streets, being careful not to chase anything. I bought a small round of flatbread from a bakery. It was warm, stretchy, and covered in sesame seeds. I stood under a tree to eat it, feeling the late afternoon heat pass over me like a blanket.
There's something special about Shiraz — it's easy to like it. I don't know the name of the rhythm yet, but I feel like I'm naturally drawn to it. I think the light has a different role here. Not just light, but presence. I'm not sure what that will mean for painting. It could be nothing, or it could be everything.
Tonight, I feel spacious. It's as if something has loosened — not broken, just unfastened. It was a good kind of quiet. It's not empty, but it's full of air.
