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Best Mercado Poems

Static

`

Slandered wavelengths
from an old worn out speaker
cracking with each unbalanced bass note
Finding my brain on overload
and a slower heart beat
out of tune 

Static becomes the union,
tuning dial gone, volume at high
glowing in the corner of cobweb melodies
lingering on a distant shelf
now sinking lower in this
roadside armchair (Where are the earplugs when you need them)

An empty bottled fortress
protects the pain at my feet,
brown glass soldiers stand guard, 
bottle cap mementos flip
like dancing beans on a folding table 
at El Mercado

One more for the road
(like I need this)
along crooked dotted lines, weaving nonsense
two at a time, smirking
snickering like children hiding from a babysitter,
mimicking the way

Still the static, white noise,
drowns out the joy and the trees cry, 
when birdsong of night haunts with a sound
interrupting the dance of the 
beer bottle chorus line
and I tap a painful toe

Categories: mercado, art,
Form: Free verse

Mexican Market

Browse the mercado
Look at the drums and hats
My love is busy

Categories: mercado, adventure
Form: Haiku

My load to carry is backbreaking,
But this I must do to feed my family.
Down on all fours on the ground, I pray
For fairness in barter and my safe return home
From this capitalist enterprise I am engaging in.

My basket is laden to overflowing the brim
With the most beautiful flowers in all the land.
My woman helps me to my feet to begin
The journey to the mercado to sell our flores.
She, too, is strong like me, with strong hands.

Together, for survival and comfort in this life,
We labour, leaning on each other as a pillar
Through the impending toils of daily grind.
In quiet rectitude, we are satisfied knowing
That our Lord and Saviour Jesucristo will provide.

We pick the flowers at their peak
When the colours are their brightest
And their scents are the most invigorating.
One by one, we gently lay them
In the cesta de mimbre.

With every step and breath I take,
Their fragrances fill my nostrils,
And the unbearable becomes bearable,
Bringing relief to my aching back
And sandal-shodden feet.

How can I ask for more?
When I return, the joy on my family’s faces
For the money received from the sale
Provides the strength I require
To do this task over and over again
Until I am departed.
***

Notes:
“Diego Rivera’s Flower Carrier” is an ekphrastic poem based on the painting "The Flower Carrier" (1935) by Diego Rivera (1886–1957).
mercado: market
flores: flowers
Jesucristo: Jesus Christ
cesta de mimbre: wicker basket.

Categories: mercado, art, endurance, faith, family,
Form: Verse

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

My Chair Was In the Path of Totality

my chair was in the path of totality
a thin ribbon about seventy miles wide
moving West to East
it does this because of at the equator
Moon's shadow moves  eastward
at a greater velocity than Earth's
rotational velocity causing travel
from East to West across the surface
the moon fully covers the sun
surrounding me on the beach
were scientists and New Agers
gravity bending light was discovered
in 1919 proving Einstein was on target
Isaac Newton discovered gravity
which philosophers and scientists
had been ruminating on for centuries
science was here to witness and confirm
my confirmation as the moon's shadow
raced ashore and the birds at sea
turned suddenly inland, that was amazing
the New Agers were hoping to witness
a promise, the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius
where Harmony, Understanding, No Lies
Mystic Cristal Relations, Golden Days of Living
the Minds Total Liberation
and as the light and sun disappeared
one on mushrooms declared
she had seen the face of God
confirming black and a woman
my wry comment brought glaring looks
does she look annoyed, perchance piqued
they would not miss my observations
a few days passed before all left
i had my beach and pueblo back
the mercado had toilet paper
i had breakfast in peace at last
Conchita's taco stand normal
men discussing fishing, politics
children at play purchasing churros
here it is 32 Years later
and the Age of Aquarius
is pretty much the same old crap
humans are cute and predictable
to be avoided, why i so relate
to Ferdinand the Bull, loved that cartoon
i am watching a movie
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are walking a lane
once they were upon opposite shores
they have finally come to terms on marriage
this is a mystery to me
why did God so love us
he blessed us with the ability to love
why it is the greatest of them all
why it does not require mushrooms
to see God, if one cares to look
only the Blind in the Heart cannot see
He is the metronome dancing in the trees
only those Deaf in Spirit
cannot hear Him speak in the wind
wandering thru the meadow
and in all of the senses
love is the sweetest taste of all

   OKC   8/12

get in the mood at Youtube:
The 5th Dimension Age of Aquarius 1969

Categories: mercado, humanity, myth, psychological, science,
Form: Free verse

When the Full Moon Lights up the Sky

“The moon is the accomplice of all things related to the heart.” Walter Mercado
**************************************************************

                             When the Full Moon Lights up the Sky

                              When the full moon lights up the sky
                                My sweetheart sets my spirits high
                             Pervades my breast with warm wishes
                                  Ignites desires for sweet kisses
                                Makes the core of my soul to race
                                 Lures me to hold her in embrace
                                  Close to the bosom of my heart
                                 Never from her breath to depart.

Categories: mercado, emotions, feelings, love,
Form: Rhyme