“Springtime”
The dark days of winter have passed
The snow gone at last.
The cold, a memory forborne.
As the Earth awakens
Will the meadows turn green?
Will the bluebirds sing?
Will the mission bells ring?
Will the cherry trees bloom?
Will mankind repent,
Make way for new dreams?
Will she return to me?
How I long to see
The dark winter of war
Be gone.
The cherry blossoms
Dress the DC mall.
The swallows return to
San Juan Capistrano.
How I long to see
The newness of it all,
The birth of a lamb,
The budding of trees,
The greening of grass.
It is time to seed the earth,
To shake a neighbor’s hand,
To repair the hearts and land.
Let it rain spring
Across this land and
In its many hearts.
The Meadows are greening.
The Bluebirds are singing.
The Mission bells are ringing.
The Cherry trees are blooming.
It is indeed a time to celebrate.
It is indeed a time to reflect and repair.
She returns to me
She will return indeed
To the many in need. 3/23/2022
Teddy Roosevelt carried a big stick
Walking softly 'till he had to move quick
He charged up San Juan Hill
Thinking, 'Who'll foot the bill?'
He made it into a Hollywood flick
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
Colonnade of Spanish style here
State's first time brick plaza seen near
Sacred old bells chime loud most clear
Knees, heads low bow
Holy cemetery's so dear
Saints rest, sleep now
Mission jewel seen near ocean's close shore.
Place where white gulls fly and breaking waves roar.
Tiled roofs, colonnades all make a fine tour.
Show birds nesting
Babies resting
Priest are chanting, voices rising, they soar.
Eyes and eyes and eyes-
That is what I remember.
The smiles, the embraces
Of my brothers and sisters.
Little friends,
Trailing behind, walking
In my footprints.
Let our words lead them to you, Father.
Grant these children lives blessed
With your presence.
A world, vastly different
From my own-
Nevertheless, a new home.
There is a solution to sadness here-
Its name is thanksgiving.
Our cultures should learn
From each other.
If only walls could be broken
Instead of hearts.
How beautiful that day would be.
I will remember you.
Perhaps we will meet again
On earth,
And perhaps we will not.
In either case, I will pray.
For the salvation of all of us-
So that one-day we will be together,
Regardless of planes and staircases and cinderblock.
We will be together-
No need for a translator,
No hindrance whatsoever.
Only Jesus.
And what a day that will be.
San Juan
The flowering trees
The island breeze
San Juan
The raised cross walk
We faint – we balk
The narrow streets
The salsa beats
The swaying palm
The driver’s calm
The soft sand beach
The natives speech
The evening rains
The food – plantains
The fortress walls
The wild bird calls
The slower pace
The warm embrace
San Juan
The humid air
The sweat soaked hair
The hotel noise
The merchant’s ploys
The taxi cost
The getting lost
San Juan