Best Vallarta Poems
I long for a few weeks in Vallarta
When winter winds are blowing,
I feel at home near the Playa del Sol
Can hardly wait to get going.
Warm sun and sandy beaches calling
Jalisco, I will hasten to you
To escape Kentucky's snowy ground
When my lips are turning cobalt blue.
Written October 13, 2021
[while making arrangements for
a week in Puerto Vallarta in November]
I love to travel anywhere, the more foreign the better for me,
Strange lands and how other people live is very interesting to see.
This travel bug I caught got started when I was only eighteen years old,
A college friend and I went to the Bahamas, we were fearless and so bold.
Then I started my career and I knew to take advantage of this time,
Each year I’d set off somewhere new, after saving my every dime.
I traveled to beautiful Hawaii followed by South America the next year,
One of my favourites was Bermuda, I was young, memories so dear.
I flew over to England and stayed for a fortnight to visit a new friend,
We toured all around Scotland traveling as far north as Land’s end.
After that I spent a lot of time in the Caribbean, the trips become a blur,
Many islands look the same, palm trees and beaches, others will concur.
Mexico was interesting studying the Mayans from Chichen Itza to Tulum,
Manzanillo to Puerto Vallarta, high cliffs where the waves crash and loom,
Got engaged in Myrtle Beach, so it holds a special place in my heart,
Then honeymooned in Jamaica where we spent not a moment apart.
Once the children came along, the travel plans required a major adjust,
We would go away on 5 year anniversaries, this was an absolute must.
A Caribbean five island cruise then the next trip two weeks in New Zealand,
But my favourite place remains the Greek islands, windmills, sun and sand.
Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland was a mother-daughter trip,
I showed her the ropes of travel and how much to leave for a tip.
Seems this travel bug of mine has proved to be a little bit contagious
My daughter now loves travel but her destinations are more outrageous.
While traveling is usually an educational journey, one that I just adore,
I’ve had moments in Egypt and the Holy land, that chilled me to the core.
But even during these very scary times, one thing that stands forever true,
The people there were kind and caring, someone always willing to help you.
I think that I still have a few more trips left in me, if my pocket book holds out,
Need to see eastern Europe, China and Africa, there’s more to learn, no doubt.
For the meeting of new people and learning their culture, gives my life new lease,
It provides the burden of proof that all should know, we need to work for peace.
Written by Lee Ramage
For Contest "Close your eyes and click your heels"
One dingy smoky bar in old Vallarta
Alive after midnight with disco dances,
She balanced with a salty margarita
Exchanging not-so-subtle, knowing glances
The beautiful raven-haired senorita,
Employing seductive Hispanic prances,
Took away the naïve, youthful touriste's breath
Lead him into a hypnotic dance of death.
FIRST PLACE WINNER
Brian Strand's "All Yours" Contest
Poetry Soup
Written April 22, 2021
Couples chattering strange sounds
Languages I do not understand.
I see their meaning in their expressions
Laughter and tears say more than words,
Be careful not to make first impressions
A single instrument does not make a band
Remember Almond Joy looks like a Mounds.
written November 22, 2021
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
"Cherish is the word I use to describe
All the feeling that I have
Hiding here for you inside...."
--lyric from "Cherish" by The Association
writer: Kirkman Terry
In the innermost depths of my being
Vacation moments seldom ever shared.
Nestled amongst the dearest cherished times,
Memories carried with me, neatly tucked
Inside, loving moments I cherish most,
Experiences never repeated
In this lifetime and, perchance, nevermore
We so enjoyed traveling together.
Scaling the high points of Pinnacle Rock,
Then, we laid on the sands in Antigua,
Watched Arenal blow in Costa Rica
Embarked on the stern of the Fantasy
Holding my hand above St. Thomas Bay
Your sweet kiss in old Puerto Vallarta.
SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written March 30, 2021
For "Cherish" Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
A Sonnet in Blank Verse, 10 syllables per line
Checked with "How Many Syllables"
Shadowy figures reflected in the panes
Framed with aloe and bougainvilleas,
Unaware, they move furtively like spirits
Dancing in another dimension of space,
They whisper of happier times long ago
When they were young and I was not here.
written November 15, 2021
in a Puerto Vallarta restaurant
From somewhere the beat of drums
Steady rhythms piercing my senses
Persistently thump, thumping a bass
Thump, thump, thump, thumping
Behind unimaginably monotonous lyrics
And I longed for a crooner like Sinatra
Center stage with a single spotlight
No flashing strobes or crystal disco balls
Or pounding migraine made to order
written November 22, 2021
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
These tears in my eyes come from missing you
No point in my trying to diminish their flow,
For they reappear with special memories
They persist in following me wherever I go.
How I remember our hours on the beach
Alone in beautiful exotic Antigua, just us two,
Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters of Montego
Flying out to see the pandas in San Diego Zoo.
Then, holding each other tight in ol’ San Juan
In Puerto Vallarta, while the mariachis played,
The long trip to distant Aruba with friends in tow
We talked of Costa Rica, wishing we’d stayed.
Holding my hand as Kilimanjaro came into view
The incredible days in Tanzania, making friends
I shall never forget visiting Anne Frank’s home
Strolling the streets of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Other adventures, twice through New England
Our driving trip through England, Scotland, Wales,
Following the Lincoln Trail on our honeymoon,
Our time together is rich with travel tales.
Our last was a home trip on Amtrak’s finest
Around the country from coast to coast
You enjoyed it so much, although you were ill,
I think I’ll always cherish this train trip the most.
Written October 17, 2022
[In memory of Deborah, who took her
greatest journey on November 20, 2018]
French Sonnet
We walk along the Cuale River path
outside of Puerto Vallarta this day.
The river is swollen by rain in way
native women could not wash or take bath.
Joan carries flower in her hand that hath
a purplish color both bright and gay
given by small child without thought of pay.
On stem was a touch of florescent spath.
“It was nice for the little child to give
the flower to you where the people live.”
“Yes, the girl’s friendliness touches my heart
and will make me remember this path’s walk.
I wish I could have understood her talk.”
“I hoped you'd enjoy path right from the start.”
My one true love,
The loveliest creature,
A pair of emerald eyes,
Blazing promised paradise,
Silken lips, full with fiery passion,
No more beautiful figure, could anyone ever fashion,
First saw her, on that Puerto Vallarta moonlit night,
Seeing first only beauty, then love by morning's light,
We laughed and loved that week on Aztec's ancient shore,
My Mexico goddess had filled this lonely heart completely to the core,
A wedding worthy of heaven we had that following year,
Held each other in sweet love's embrace,
Vowing forever with joy's lingering tear,
Three wonderful years each morning seeing her face,
Hoping for no end to this married bliss,
Then, kneeling shattered at her death bed,
Saying goodbye with one last kiss.
(In memory of Rebecca, I LOVE YOU, missing you so much!)
Robert
Copyright © 2014 Robert William Gruhn - All Rights Reserved
"A poem to me is the essence of any thought,
Being built from its foundation into tower scraping sky.
It can fly like no other bird to places never seen,
Even spaceships can only dream of taking its place."
© 2014 Robert William Gruhn
When the sun nestles into the horizon
I ponder whether ‘twill be my last sunset
Glorious display in splendorous bedizen
Surely, the most beautiful I’ve seen yet,
Dipping low ‘neath the shimmering sea
Across the bay from old Puerto Vallarta
I can’t think of any place I’d rather be …
Not Majorca, not even in old Djakarta.
The western sky turns orange and red
With streaks of yellow running through
While the sun obediently lowers its head
Emotions rise; my darling, I think of you.
I long to return to the Mexican Riviera,
To watch the world’s most lovely sunset
The bay sparkling like a diamond tiara,
As peaceful and calm as I’ll ever get.
Written October 8, 2022
Two young lovers on the beach unafraid
To hold hands, nuzzling intimately,
They are obviously very much in love
In their own world they are muy contento
In my country they would be ridiculed,
Threatened, perhaps beaten to death
Because they dare to be who they are.
written November 18, 2021
on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The feel of her warm hand on my thigh
Content she whispers a satisfying sigh
As the night breeze wafts softly in time
To a lonely voice haunting and sublime,
Soft sand and the incoming tide purring
Her gentle squeezing is most reassuring
As my heart beats in rhythm her pulsing
Confirms what earlier I'd been guessing,
Though I am alone her spirit is hovering
Three years have passed; I am recovering
In this place we shared year after year,
And I feel her presence especially here
On the sands en la Playa de los Muertos
Many times we held each other close
In time I knew she would come to me,
If I were in the place where I needed to be.
written November 20, 2021 on
the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
on the third anniversary of Deb's death
I spotted the gal laying on the beach
She was quite beautiful, just out of reach
So, stopping, I said hello
I noticed her instant glow
And, boy, did she turn out to be a peach.
written November 23, 2021
on the beach in Puerto Vallarta
at the water's edge
tiny creatures seek refuge
warm sand inviting
written November 21, 2021
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico