Eggscetera

FRIDA No one had to explain- the broken column- the pain in your eyes- I feel it every day Nor the anguish when you carry your heart in your hands- bleeding I too had my Diego- Always on my mind I walk- wounds exposed- persecuted like a wounded deer-not fatally and that's worse- I suffer in body, just as you suffered' til your final days ♦  Poem "Frida," published in 2003 San Jacinto College Lean Seed Magazine. FRIDA Nadie tuvo que explicar- la columna rota - el dolor en tus ojos- lo siento cada dia Ni la angustia cuando llevas tu corazon en tus manos- sangrando Yo tambien tuve a mi Diego- Siempre en mi mente Camino- con las llagas expuestas- persequida como venadita herida- no muerta y eso es lo peor- Sufro en carne propia, haci como tu sufriste hasta tus ultimos dias CYCLES The old oak tree's leaves fall In the autumn sun across the yard where I can still see my children playing around its mighty trunk.  Their laughter takes me to a different time when the oak tree was a seedling trying to sprout branches Through the years it grew tall and full The children stopped their foolish laughter, taking refuge under the ample shade- They'd lay their blankets and lean for hours against the jagged bark.  It knew the secrets and sadnesses they never told me Now the tree is failing, its branches thin, grow weaker every day.  The children are gone and have children of their own Still, these lowered branches throw shadows across the grass, dancing to the slow music of another dusk, another autumn THE WHOLE ENCHILADA Living in America- the whole enchilada, multi-colored faces, a mixture of races, culturally diverse, united in a land of abundance, each dancing in rhythm to the beat of a different drum Chile caliente, American as apple pie, hot blooded latin lovers, hot dogs at the ball park Playing rock-n-roll- cantando con mariachi, speaking a romantic language, bailando salsa, these multi-colored faces, a mixture of races, each dancing in rhythm to the beat of a different drum

SERENADE Wind chimes sway- shimmering in the sunlight- a blanket of green covers the landscape - Birds chirp in tune with the sweet melody A calmness falls- silencing the melody- carrying a woman's prayer- kneeling- sorting through   the wilted flowers- I can almost hear her teardrops In the distance- a circle of love hands held- heads bowed- resting nearby a man sits- head on his knees- whispering laments - floating through the air Laughter breaks the stillness- as children gleefully weave between the endless rows- blissfully alive- their endless chatter echos in the hollowed ground Trying to Respect- I carefully make my way towards the all- familiar purple plastic flowers- your favorite color. Clutching a bouquet- awkwardly standing- wondering if you can hear my regrets- consumed by our inevitable mortality - I almost forget to breathe- quickly inhaling the musty smell of clouds gathering Raindrops sprinkle my face- shedding tears- I quickly run for shelter, as the wind chimes once again- resume their serenade- a serenade held to a captive audience

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I dedicate this page to my children, Daniel, Jennifer, Sarah, and Stephanie, my reluctant proofreaders- my adoring fans- at times my worst critics- by far my greatest work of art. Jennifer, though your stay was short, you dared to dream- seeing the world through the innocence of a child- always with a smile- you left your mark on my heart where you'll always live.

PENSAMIENTOS ...DE LA VIDA COPYRIGHT 2004

"In the autumn of my life with regard to my passion and desires, I am like a candle burning constantly throughout its existence, who close to the end burns with intense brightness before a breeze extinguishes its flame forever"...Elvira Diaz-Ocampo

MY TIME Not of my own free will, but leaving nonetheless The spirit who breathed life in me has come to claim it back A lifeless empty shell- a feast for creatures yet to come A beginning or an ending? No one seems to know There's no mistake here, all who come must go So many heartbeats wasted, so many sunshines lost, in all the foolish places, and all my senseless wants They're gone and lost forever Regrets are useless now I'd count the precious moments but it's my time to go