Ode to Verdugo

I love Verdugo's song of Spring.
Birds chirp to greet each sunny day
Praising every glorious thing
                      that blooms in May.

Singing, they glide from tree to tree
While playing in the branches green.
Their medley honors everything.
                         Ah, lovely scene!

The flowers which are now in bloom
Paint the hills with beautiful shades
the blossoms made by nature's loom.
                         They never fade.

Rabbits hide in Tujunga bush
Relishing shade from noontime sun.
Listen closely and hear them rush
                           in playful fun.

Coyotes serenade the moon
In greeting the cool Sunland nights.
These howlings are the native tune
                           that bring delights.

Let's praise Verdugo, nature's home
In Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall.
Away from it our hearts shan't roam.
                            Praise nature's call.
 
 
 
 

False Eternity

Numerous butterflies floating with grace.
Yellow black-spotted wings fluttering by.
tiny bodies merged as one large machine.
Unity unknown by man's many tries.
We long to capture this awesome beauty.
Doing everything known to hold the sight.
Some will write songs of this lovely vision.
Others will use cameras to freeze time.
Yet some will catch one or two for their walls.
Falsely thinking that body is spirit.
I for one capture the sight in my mind. 
And close my eyes to recall the picture.
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

My Rainbow Child
previously published in Interracial Magazine, 1998

This child should never be.
Atrocities spoken by those who
Look through one colored glasses.

She won't know her place
Or where to fit in society.
Don't curse your child with such a fate.
By the indeterminate color of her face.

These were words spoken of my rainbow child.
My rainbow child is as bright as the sunrise.
She views the world through multi-colored eyes.
She sees beauty in all because she is a part of everyone.

She is not bound by prejudice.
Because no one can label her.

She carries the blood of nobles and slaves.
she is open to all when she plays her
Games of childhood innocence.
Not aware that her existence breaks
Unspoken boundaries of race.

The beauty of her colors raises high above the clouds.
Pushing through the storms of intolerance.
You cannot help but stop to admire her radiance.
That is why she is my rainbow child.
 

Please Listen

My voice is a whisper.
You say you can hardly hear
as I speak of things I fear and
others that cause me anger.

Please listen.
I am shouting.
Calling our for understanding.
Hoping you can hear my voice.
Still you can barley hear.

Louder, louder I am speaking.
The words, they echo in my head.
You can see that I am struggling.
Still you cannot hear what is said.

I've opened my voice,
now open your ears.
Make it so that you can hear the words
spoken from heart and mind.

Can you hear me?

Yes, I can see you hear me.
You have opened your mind and 
now hold out your hand.

You understand what I am saying,
and
it is quite simple really.
What I have been saying
is 
accept me.