Photo by Mike Hall

A mother and a daughter enjoy the afternoon during a picnic recently at Glen Miller Park in Richmond, Indiana,  under the canopy of golden leaves of trees in the park.

Situation: Infatuation

There’s something about you I can’t resist.
All I want to do is just kiss your lips.
Some call is love.  Some call it lust.
All I know my feelings for you are real,
And I have to let you know how I feel
Even if some people say it’s wrong.
You have a wife.  I did have a life.
Everything changed when you came along,
And the world feels better in your arms.
Now that I have you, I won’t let go.

If you would like to read this poem in Spanish, click here. 

Situación: Encaprichamiento

El poema “Situación: Encaprichamiento” fué publicado originalmente el 28 de noviembre de 2003 en el periódico ‘El Heraldo de Brownsville.’ Para ver la versión original en inglés, haga click aquí.

Situación: Encaprichamiento

Tienes algo que no puedo resistir,
lo único que deseo es besar tus labios.
Algunos lo llaman amor,
Algunos lo llaman lujuria.
Todo lo que sé
es que mis sentimientos son reales,
Y necesito demonstrarte lo que siento.
Aun cuando algunos piensen
que estoy equivocado.
Tienes esposo.
Yo tenía una vida
Todo cambió
Cuando te encontré.
El mundo es major en tus brazos
Ahora que te tengo,
No te dejaré ir.

The Jones’ Complex

Use what you got.
You think it’s not
what you want.
But what you have
is really quite a lot.
You’d like to go
again to the store.
It’s late; door’s closed.
Why do you need more?
You make a mess
with what you think
is just a little less.
Will more, in your mind,
make you best?
You gotta get a big
problem off your chest.
Deal with reality,
just like the rest of
us who live and breathe.
Money don’t fall from
 the sky or grow on trees.
You got to be free
from this disease
called the Jones’ Complex
Got to have more money
more cars, more sex,
a bigger house or stereo.
There’s not limit to
how far it will go.
There’s one thing I know.
Use what you got.
You think it’s not
what you want.
But what you have
is really quite a lot.

It’s National Red Dot Day

Wear your red dots today in celebration of National Red Dot Day.  If you feel a little embarassed about wearing the re dots on the outside, wear them inside, under the regular clothes. It doesn’t matter, just so each person celebrates in his or her own way.  Through time and acts of Congress, some events have become traditions that are uniquely American.I would like to add another day to celebrate to the calendar.  Nov. 7 should be National Red Dot Day, and it is today.

Why a Red Dot, not blue, green, black or purple? Or even Pink?

Red is a color that implies many symbols.  Red is the blood that is associated with health and defending the colors of the American flag.  Red is color of hope, and of a call to action.  All these are positive connotations. 

Why a dot? Why not a square, rhombus, rectangle, pentagon or octagon?  Circles are everywhere. The circle of life, the wheels of gears, industry and transportation, or the proverbial wheel of fortune-all are circles of some sort. Circles are smooth. There are no corners or angles in a circle, which means you can’t get lost, but you may see your tracks the second time around. 

Gamblers have wheels in their machines for winning or losing. Lady Luck decides which color and number where the white marble will land.  One of the colors, by the way, is red.

Everything is connected by circles.  In photography optics, there is the theory of circles of confusion that come into focus at some point.

Everyday things like glasses, cups, plates, coasters, are round, and are put on round tables in restaurants.  The tables may have red tablecloths or red napkins.  The color red and dots are everywhere, the there should be a day to celebrate this.  Today is  Nov. 7, National Red Dot Day.

Photo by Mike Hall

The morning light teases the golden colors of the changing leaves in a residential area in  the Northeast part of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Seed

As God’s promise of the future growth,
The seed, under the right conditions,
Will break through the ground and
Reach the open air, ready to fight
To survive the elements and even the
 Competition from other similar seeds.
The flower will bear more seeds, the
Result of a unique bloom that attracts
Other visitors that share its beauty.
There is a season for everything,
And then the flower knows when
It is time for it to die, its purpose done.
By then, another seed’s growth has begun,
Each living thing has a part of the many
Cycles that, together, make the circle of life. 

Written after planting jonquils (daffodils) in the front of the apartment patio.

Impacto

El poema “Impacto” fué publicado originalmente el 21 de noviembre de 2003 en el periódico ‘El Heraldo de Brownsville.’ Para ver la versión original en inglés, haga click aquí.

Impacto
Algunas veces
a la gente no le gusta la poesía,
por las palabras que describen
las emociones y sentimientos que fluyen
del alma, del poeta,
e impactan la conciencia del lector.
Las palabras podrían lastimar
porque el impacto del mensaje
despierta al lector a una nueva realidad
de una vida que comparten,
los mismos sentimientos y emociones.
Todo lo que el poeta hizo,
fué ponerlo en palabras.

Impact

People sometimes don’t like
   Poetry because of the word’s
Raw emotions and feelings that
   Flow from the the poet’s soul and
Hit the readers in the head.

The words hurt because the impact
    Of the messages wake up the
Reader to a new reality — that they
   Have the same feelings and emotions.

All the poet did was put them into words.

To read this poem in Spanish. click here.

Land

   Photo by Mike Hall

Land 

Land, land, land!
To own it, much of it,
is power in your hands.
Society values property.
Get as much as you can!
Responsiblity is the key,
and dirt makes the man.

Land, land, land!
When the notes are paid in
full, the possession can last
from the father to the sons.
That’s the way of the past.
Or you buy low, sell high
and make the money fast.

Land, land land!
It’s value is what’s below,
and what machines scan.
Mineral wealth discovered
is a bonus that quickly adds
money to a bank account.
Bad deals will make you mad.
 
Land, land, land!
To own it, much of it,
puts you into another class.
Taxes, maintenance and
insurance grow like grass,
but credit is always available
with a low supply of cash.
 
Land, land, land!
It’s value is in its potential.
The future is in demand.
The house that survives
isn’t built on sinking sand.
The property is a reality,
on which you can stand.
 
Land, land, land.