Gladys woke with you beside the sea,
The dawn was whispering silently,
The mountains glowed with a golden flame,
And called the morning by your name.
The tide was breathing soft and slow,
Its silver secrets each only know,
The palms bent low as if they heard
The hush between each tender word.
The light unwrapped the sky in gold,
More precious than the pearls of old,
No jewel could match this moment’s grace,
Nor treasure shine like your dear face.
The sunrise burned, the world grew wide,
But all its splendor stayed inside,
Where love was brighter than the swirls,
Of sea and dawn, beyond the pearls.
Written By: D. Collins 5/22/24
My Boom-Box played this beautiful collab.
Two blood brothers rapping like we never had.
Talent is talent, and it ain't my fault.
They mastered the 187 on an undercover cop.
An NWA remix with a Puerto Rican twist.
A touch of Heavy D. with a dot that doesn't miss.
They're native New Yorkers, so you know they spit fast.
The way they pass the baton will knock you on your ass.
Spitting it Ill-Na-Na with a Puerto Rican roll.
If you're not listening, then you don't know.
They were rapping extravagant in front of our nose.
That remix of 187 with Big Pun and Fat Joe.
The museum had a festive treat –
A Puerto Rican band,
With drums and one maraca,
Beats that we could understand.
The leader on the primo* drum
Explained about their style
And the only female taught a dance;
In just a little while…
We visitors all left our seats
And, following her moves,
We all (including little kids)
Soon found our special grooves.
Though I, the oldest dancer,
Would leave nobody impressed,
I enjoyed this unexpected fun,
As maybe you have guessed.
*the main drum, which set the rhythm
I’m a coqui frog from Puerto Rico.
Noisiest amphibian as you know.
I’m an inch long
With a mighty song.
My hundred decibel call scares a foe.
Welcome to Puerto Rico
You do not know Spanish?
No problem.
We will help you every step of the way.
Almost everybody here speaks two languages.
Reds, greens, blues, yellows
Colors flash from every direction
Each porch has multi-colored pots and plants.
My artist’s heart leaps with joy at the beauty of this place.
Watch out for the potholes!
Rent a jeep, and don’t worry about betting too close
Some streets are so narrow you can shake hands
With the other driver as you pass each other
At least you could pass a tortilla
Welcome to Puerto Rico
Where there is the beauty of the ocean
But also the possibility of a tsunami
Where friendly people will let you take photos
of their lives, their happiness, and their colors
Dancing in time, bringing in the heartfelt holiday
Wafts of women in full traditional costume of Puerto Rico
Gyrating in the streets, teasing the crowd with their prowess
From old to young, they make their point in colorful garb.
Boy children and men standing around in the night
Pretending not to notice the wafts of women who are now singing
Adding so much rhythm and joy, everything feels new and fresh.
If there was ever a prettier sight, I cannot fathom it.
When the band stops playing, the crowd coaxes it to keep going.
So the violins and guitars are picked back up for two additional songs.
It is a memory I am fond of, one that pops up when I need her.
The day I danced in the street in Puerto Rico! Nothing better.
sweet puerto rico
dancing with brilliant colors
oranges blues yellows
En Mi Viejo San Juan!
*In My Old San Juan"
~I Just Dreamt~
Of an old, delicious flame
from Puerto Rico.
Strutting in his own unique,
Very sexy way.
Perfect hair, perfect suit.
Oh, he was just stunning.
Gliding, it seemed with his,
tall and oh, so perfect body.
His soft, dark skin too perfect
to describe.
His lips, tastier than the best
cotton candy!
Wonderful memories of you,
Rodolfo from San Juan!
Memories that are quite randy!
August 14, 2019
Chaos In Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico living conditions became crude;
Was without much water or enough for food;
We were bare to bone;
Out things were thrown;
All we had was Trump who us liked to delude.
Jim Horn
In the darkness of the night
I see your star shine bright
I hear the cries of our people
trying to be seen as equal
I feel your resilient heart
being torn apart
the desperation, indignation, exasperation
They insult us with their words
their ignorance, unconcern, and condemnation
but despite it all, we shall rise
and never compromise
The pure hearts that we share
The proud people of this nation
We shall overcome despite their laceration
Horn Puerto Rico Haiku
All over Puerto Rico exists everywhere,
People who need our comfort and care;
Worry and fear,
There and here;
All they do have is sadness and despair.
Need things so their problem to be solved;
American military must become involved;
Them will greet;
Not suffer defeat;
With their efforts problems are resolved.
People in Puerto Rico are literally dying,
And caring for children who are crying;
Some seem starving;
Deep in health carving;
Will meet needs when we start supplying.
Jim Horn
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Have you survived the storm ?
The hurricanes the hurricanes
no mercy do they show.
We ask eternal question
what have we done wrong
Don't blame yourselves,it's no ones fault
Nor punishment from God
Time and unforeseen occurance
I've learned be falls us all.
Prayers are the saving hope
Prayers for our souls.
orange and yellow
vivid hues predominate
in the tropic spring
anaranjado y amarillo
vividas tonalidades que predominan
la primavera tropical
4-4-2016
Faces smiling, nodding politely
At words they don't seem
To understand,
Show me pictures,
Showing the richness of
A faraway distant land,
Multicoloured motor cars,
Brown apartments
Rising high in Puerto Rican skies.
Power
blue power
atlantics oceans power
Impetus a million tons of water
vast spray a haze of salty mist in the air
three hundred yards of sea
Iridescent rainbow in the bright sunlight
withering pounding and crushing
waves a thousand mile voyage
Relentless night and day
past millenniums
millenniums to come
Related Poems