just be

just be
close to me
no need to do
anything

round and round
the earth goes about
a new day fresh
will start again

peace you feel
if you stand still
but if your fret
the more you sweat

the earth will not
be flooded if a drop
falls on its crust
nor will it dry

because of salty
bitterness
so just sit still
until you feel

the harmony
of the surrounding ocean
and its waves building a column tall
and strong

the soil below
will grow its roots
into your soul
and thus you'll grow

in strength
and faith
and all
my beautiful

link of the day

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/

the sounds of winter

crackling sound
of domains splitting
pieces of glass
gliding apart

only the wind
pushes them them float
so far apart
on their perfectly smooth back

there is no abrasion
no holding back
once the cold winds set in
and the ice has cracked

bright

bold to be bright
showing off in the light
cardinals in a tree
looking at me

they dance on the edge
under the eye of the hawk
where the balance tips
in a day from fall to winter

they sing their joy
to be alive, hopeful
that winter will show their bravery
that their energy will last until spring

spring when life will begin anew
when their colored coats will need not
demonstrate their boldness
cardinals in a tree, looking at me

so happy to be

stairs

every morning
when I wake up
a new set of stairs
lies outside my door

i climb and i climb
everyday a little higher
with the secret hope
that it leads to heaven

every now and then
I make mistakes
and need to retake
a couple of steps

the stairs are there
shinning and new, and still
familiar to me since we've shared
each others' company for a while

and while I tend to get tired
at the end of the day
every now and then I sit down
I might as well enjoy the view

while I am here

carpe diem

the days get shorter
but the light is good
i'd take a picture every moment
of I could

the air is crisp
the squirrels quick
to gather food
for coming times

i'd roast a chestnut
hear its rolling sound
then try to keep it tight
to warm my palm

i'd share my food
and then some wine
with some good friends
of yes I would

for this is the day
that we were given
to live in joy
and make a mark
in someone's heart

grace

we shall dance in the night
when the lullaby alone cannot sooth you,
we shall dance in the day
when we are merry and gay,
we should touch hands and then point them up
to the sky, we should shake feet,
and blush our faces with joy
saying grace to the Lord
simply because we can do these today

we

the really really good thing
about you is that you are
right next to me
and if we talk at the same time
i can still hear harmony
don't really know if it was you
or me, but then again it does
not really matter you see
we are so close together
we should just call ourselves we
forget all about you and me
let us just spin with the stars
modestly but in harmony

the loop

so many songs
so many books
so many movies
to tell us
to teach us
what is important
really important
in life
and in love
so many times
we will be told
until we learn
firsthand
who are our friends
our loves
and passions
put them in songs
and books
and movies

bloody pink

it is so daring of you to show up
all of a sudden, rising between
the brown of the ground and the gray of the cloud,
all bloody pink in the middle of winter

you were unforgettably bold
to smile from under your frosty hat
to all passerbys and what nots,
seemingly unafraid of the cold

I thank you camelia
for all colors of hope
you bloomed all along
our trip on the side of winter

the hope you have given
just a couple of drops
all bloody pink and heroic
kept us afloat on oceans of cold

but now while it is warm
your leaves wait for the time when most needed
they'll feed our hopes to blossom
in the heart of winter

osmanthus

a little piece of paradise in the backyard - a blooming tea olive. the duke gardens are an open bottle of perfume for the same reason, the tiny flowers of of the osmanthus.

this girl, her love

this girl so beautiful and tall
America - she learns from all
her friends whom she invites
to visit her warm home

she smiles a lot, and sometimes
cries because she cares.
she goes to church in her best clothes
some of the days which she takes off

some other days she cooks for those
less fortunate, and then she shares
her kindness cause she thinks
she has surplus to spare

her heart's so full I've gotten used to her
voice sharing joy through song,
but this past week in her blue eyes I've felt
a muted but a strong torment

America who loved Haiti
who helped the children of my eastern world
i look at you and now I wonder
have you forgotten how to love yourself?

at the end of summer

it is still time for summer
for admiring the flight of the butterfly;
yellow tails dot the yard
when the air is humid and hot;
when the lights dim the crickets take over
the night with their songs
of the summer - sunny and hot
the rains menace to fall
the leaves are still hanging
but almost ready to roll
the knapsacks filled to supplies
are ready to jump on the backs of the kids
ready to start a new year of school
anxious to grow, fast and smart,
while I pray they will stay
ever so loving as they are today.

quote of the day - excellence

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotelis

grow

grow big and tall
fed by the proximity
of other beings
all ready to teach.
do learn to stay still
when you need peace;
and do learn to storm
when you need to run;
do learn to dance
with your hands up
in the free air above;
learn to stay clean
no matter how dark
the waters in which
you were thrown to swim.
when you come out
you will know
you have grown big and tall
kind and all
you need to be
for your own
but also for others felicity.

summer

come down south
where the summers are long
and the ground is low,
where the fish are jumping
in the afternoon heat.
where the air is steamy
and the crabs are swift,
while the lazy gators
are first to cross the street.

drive your car slow
watch out when you turn
alligator mama is crossing
and going to town
her hips are swinging
with pride when she does
put her best feet forward.
give thanks for this day
to bask the sun.

come down low
where the summers are long
let the pace get slow
can't avoid the sweat
but can cool it off
when the breeze comes in
let it pass under your chin;
let the lazy gators
be first to cross the street

my library

my books are moving
eternally between
my house and a larger one
a well organized one - downtown.
the focal point
of the city for me
has been its library
family friendly
and mostly free.
i have met friends
some live between
cardboard covers,
and some behind desks.
the books come and go
and they have many stories
to tell if you listen to them.
they teach you, they tease you
sadden or amuse you.
they bring to your home
sometime a dusty smell,
sometime the one of fresh ink.
whatever they bring
you might well grow
to be wiser because
of them - just think.

summer day

blue from blueberries,
red from raspberries
and white from cream
put them together to decorate
a beautiful cake.
after you eat
rest on the lawn
look at the stars
till sparkles start
to spring right up.
then in excitement
jump on your feet
do make some noise
to show your joy
the band may be tired by now
but we can still stand up tall
the street's in smoke
after all the firework
now go to bed
to rest and dream
in many colors
you used to trim
this summer day.

parable

source: http://joomla.wildlife.org

you have launched yourself
dangeroulsy but think for a while
know what you do
and what cannot be undone.
if you fall you must
gather your strength
so you can spring back
from murky waters
let hope reborn itself
onto your wings
batting the air moderately
forget the greed,
you do not need all this
(just to feed).
now launch yourself
beautifully.

step

for once let us take a step
out of the ordinary reality,
let us think that we are as young
as necessary to be able to fly freely,
as rich as necessary to not really need
anything but a dream
a chance to pursue it
and see how we feel.
and what else would we need,
dear?

dance

think light
think lightness
think joy
cause everyday
we share
you and I
is a gift,
an exercise
in being kind,
a new move
in an old dance,
where we strive
for harmony
only

flow

flow like the water
down the valleys
and high up in the hills
ride the waves on oceans of dreams.

roar with the storms
and hush with mild winds
stay still if you can
like hot air on a summer day.

play all sorts of music
on all your four strings
enduring the heat and the chills
as if they were games for some kids.

flow like the water
fresh when it's close to the springs
getting smart when quick turns are called for
wisely open to change - smooth and calm as you grow.

word

one winter day
the word got wings
and the freedom to fly
over the city.
from there it has not been hard
to fly between cities
and it has been heard
that it even tried
to cross borders.
let the word fly!

summer

she has caught the firs firefly
of the summer
he has thrown in the back of the closet
his shoes
the day has started to shift its schedule
apparently
according to their moods
you can hear in your left ear the call
of the seagulls
the roar of the ocean being tamed
by the sun
you can feel the sand burning the soles
of your feet
and all because free days of the summer
vacation and you
have come to meet

give

you were given life one day
the same day you gave back
hope and incredible joy
to those around you;
how precious you were
that day, how precious you stay!

you have been given life
for a while, borrowed time
in the spinning cycle of all beings
it is your chance to make life
better with your touches
for all who are within reach.

it is your chance to rejoice in learning
the ways of the world,
to receive the revelation of understanding,
to do all the singing, drawing, and running
or simply sitting down and admiring
what other do with their lives


today again is you turn
to give this day a chance
no matter how hard it started,
use your time wisely since
you might have been give some limited time
divide it judiciously, and enjoy the gift

moody rose

when I look at your hand
and you show me splinter
I see a rose growing
from the tip of your finger;
as we both look in wonder
your thumb grows a johnny jump up
your ring finger a daisy
and your pinky - first green with envy
turns into a blue chicory.
I pulled out the thorn
did it hurt?
you tear says "perhaps",
your smile "not as much"
but why hide your eyes
under a funny mexican hat?

beautiful

if the rain could wash, wash, wash
all dirty things from the face of earth
if it would work all night
would the morning shine bright?

if the rain could wash, wash, wash
the dark small roads forgotten by the world
along with wider highways that belong to no one,
would they not shine bright?

if the rain could wash, wash wash
all trace of poverty, aggression and greed
all nasty thoughts and deviant desires
would it not be good

but who would decide
what is good and should stay
what is bad and should be washed away
who dares take the reins in their hand today?

the storm without thoughts
works heard by my windows today
the frogs by the creek croak a small gossip
the rest of the creatures seem to sleep

the earth will be beautiful when you wake up
my baby, don't worry now
when you grow up you should try however
to turn it around, wash it well

the rain may still help your hard working hand
the sun should be bright
and beautiful if you help your earth
and its people tomorrow

children

son of his mother
he's got some of her faults, most of her talents
and then some more;
her father's daughter
she's got the same looks
and the same seed of fire burning in her eyes;
he's like the water
smoothly flowing over the fields,
she's setting fire wherever her fast feet
touch the ground.
and still you can see them
when they walk hand in hand
every morning in peace
ready to catch he same bus
to the same school
where they learn how to grow
amongst us

grace

Be grateful for the quiet nights
when rest is peaceful
and the sleep is deep,
there's so much grace in the world,
just sleep!
the moonlight beam and the clouds
alone do travel
on the fluttering wings
of the wind;
but our streets are silent
to let babies sleep,
the waves of their dreams
like those of an ocean at rest
lulling;

listen for the sound of babies
who grow in their sleep,
for the the sound of tree roots
getting down deep,
for the twinkling star
who says that tomorrow
if full of hope and not far,
listen for the sky
unfolding this wonderful night
...and then sleep


give grace for what you've got
for the night so quiet and deep,
for the fact
that nothing out of the ordinary
will happen tonight
while we sleep

spring trip

it is time that you put
in front of you one foot
and then the other to step out
of the routine you have set up

spring is here and songs abound
robins, chickadees and kids
they all know what fresh breeze is
time to start anew your life

take a trip or make a craft
learn new music, learn new moves
give a hug without a reason
knit your words again with warmth

take a trip around the garden
take a trip around the city
if the world to you seems far
you have friends near and today is pretty

tutak

Tutak was small but he knew
he did not lack importance
he just knew he could do it
he tried really hard and he proved it

as long as he was not losing faith
and he could keep his rhythm
little Tutak was still full of spirit
he tried really hard and he proved it

he climbed the steepest high mountain
one little step at the time
where his bigger friends were afraid and backed up
he tried really hard and he proved it

no matter how small you may seem
do never doubt you can reach your goal
just keep your rhythm and faith, Tutak
he tried really hard and he proved it

water and sun

all we need is some water and sun
and spring has truly begun
blooming in white and in pink
the trees sing, sing sing

the soil is generously moist
the seeds are still waiting in pots
but once out in the garden
they will sprout and shoot to their best

the kids feet run faster these days
their legs jump farther over the creeks
their voices, stronger and bolder
fill the street with the happiest noise.

transitioning among years

he is a man of the past
no matter how beautiful this past was
is just was
there is nothing left anyway
for today
the man whom he has become
is different now
so do not search in vain
to find again in him
who he was
only the mandolin
can sing the same song twice
while the voice of the singer
changes and roughens
a bit every winter
he still comes to sing
at my door his carols;
the eyes of the mind search
through the misty air
for the truth and the value;
i know his wishes are true
so I give him my coin,
he moves on to a different home
followed by a cheerful crowd
of young carolers

spring

they spring back to life
from brown bulbs
buried under the ground
the first shoots are well and alive!

the crocuses dance
dressed in purple and yellow
on the river banks
and the meadow

the daffodils shake
their heads gently
if the wind dares to raid their hills
once more with a breath-full of winter

the best

some of the best things in Durham:

- for the mind: the Durham County Library (a citizen's treasure)
- for the kids: Museum of Life and Science (inexhaustible source of activities, people might get exhausted though. Then you know it is time to go home, rest and come again another day)
- for the tummy: Taqueria La Vaquita (either of the two will provide simple, reliably filling food)
- for the community feel: the farmer's market
- for walking the dog and its persons : the duke forest, can't decide which entrance
- for your pocket: a vegetable garden
- overall: the neighbors. A secret resource for the town. what am I saying? they are the town!

this list supports additions and may be modified with a further notice from readers

simple

Aim to make things simple. It is not necessarily easy but it is gratifying. It makes ones brain think cleanly and better. One strategy is to divide a problem in subproblems and then conquer the understanding of all. Another strategy is to try to explain it to somebody else. Your dog can be a good adviser. Your grandma is of course much better. If you are a parent then kids might be open to this. If you are a kid try your parents, you may be pleasantly surprised.
A simple life is a good life, ask Zorba too.

new star, new stories

my child you have grown now so big
the bed time stories I used to tell you
you can retell now;
in fact some of the early ones
must have reached the ladybugs
who live among the stars ;
and from their laughter a new star
was born with a desire of sending its light
into the upper left corner of your window;
from now on you should never be lonely
scared and afraid of the dark;
your star will bath you
with sparks of bright light;
your childhood stories should lull you
to warm sleep under your blanket;
while your dreams navigate
learning to know that
it is almost time to make your own
so much and so big you have grown.

order and organization

"Order and organization" are my two words of the day. Without them we would need to reinvent the wheel on a daily basis. Save yourself some time and a large part of your sanity with "order and organization".

beautiful

the most beautiful men on earth
are beautiful on the inside;
the skin of truly beautiful women
radiates kindness, and their eyes
glow with hope and candor,
but most of all they impress
when frail as they seem they can raise
you up - their friends -
with their hands and their words;
they can put laughter on your lips
just by showing up on your doorsteps
or with a mere suggestion.
sometimes they gravely shake
their friend as if they were trees
to remind them where their roots
are, into the ground
of the same reality we should share.
they are rare but a few of them
have the power in spring
to plant fertile seeds of dreams
and nurse then to be
the healthy shoots of tomorrow,
tall and beautiful
nothing can touch them
our youth

wine day

today we are the wine that we drink
we are the songs that we sing
and the dreams that we dream;
today we come out from within.

let us share ourselves this moment
with friends, let us live the present;
let the memories drop to the bottom
let peace reign as they settle

let ourselves be the inspiration
that we usually seek from others
let all the flavors come out
from this simple bottles

the road paved with gravel
I feel, and the sweetness of cherries
atop of a tree in the garden of Eden
mixing with the wildness of berries

let us have the courage
to say good bye in the harbor
to those who decide to be sailors
and wish them good winds

let us have the heart to welcome
back those who decided to stay
home without armor
and work with a shovel

let us share ourselves
but refrain from imposing our ways
with newcomers from countries afar
where the making of wine was unknown

at the end of the party
let us be free to choose our path
and stick to the track
towards where good grapes can be grown.

muse (to amuse)

the muse of poetry came last night
for a late cup of tea
and to share inspiration with me;
but the kettle was dusty and cold,
the ink in the pen was too old;
so we just chatted and laughed,
and she sung me a song
then she wrapped herself in her veil
and vanished from sight
leaving me with my memory, only.

life

when does life happen?
when we are active
when we are passive
when we are pensive?

there are days when
there is so much light
that I feel blind;
can't see what happens
but I can hear
the flapping of wings
the shadows they cast
on the ground
on which I think
I firmly stand;
the hours pass
violently pushing
against each other
and when the storm
has passed
I wonder why
I have nor grabbed
the wing of chance
whatever chance
had come my way
to fly free
away from all fear
and its demons

and there are days
when gentle light
pushes you out
from undercover
when you feel strong
enough to blow the wind
that takes you where
you want to go;
when you take steps
without sparing
the effort to cut out a path
if it was not
already made;
and you don't care
if there is no path
to fit your foot;
you have to go
with forehead up
wherever future calls
with its strong voice
from far aback
the workshop
of your dreams
that it recalls

snow bunny - for its friend J

snow bunny
gray and furry
cheeks are red
on its blond mommy

snow bunny out at play
on a sled
from the shed
in the cold;

with its friend
slides down the hill
speedy fast
it is a blast

wonder bunny
puts its paw in the snow
does not run
if she let go

snow bunny
come get warm
in my arms
say its mommy;

go inside
bunny now
mommy too
say good night

break

break the chains and look up
the sky has already been there
unperturbed by the struggle of ants
can you too look up friends?

take off your limiting glasses
the light is here to be shared
to not be fooled and hide
from knowledge again.

dance to impart joy among those
who are ready to take their first steps
the life lessons will be taught
until they are learned

butterfly love

she fell in love with a butterfly
but the butterfly only felt ill
enough to make it rest with her
or better said incapable of leaving her.
she though she was nursing it to health
on the back of her hand;
they had a close relationship for a while
until another girl requested
the magic touch of the butterfly
and is attachment
to the back of her hand;
and she shared;
but the butterfly could not, cared not
return to her even though she still cared
she had to leave almost in tears
but with hopes that in the end
it would rest on a leaf,
by a flower full of nectar
within its reach.

morning routine

morning comes and you're not yet awake
little birds chirp and laugh on a branch;
must get up to stop their chatter
what if it is about you, their laughter?
I can see sleepy eyes, cheeks and nose
your blanket hides them but I think
you are sleepy to your toes.
let me wake you with a tickle, as I sing;
for you to wake up and bring
joy to my day today and everyday!

but who's this jumping up from under covers
like a spring? who's this voice
telling dreams and jokes and stories,
when have you picked your clothes and put them on?
now eat your breakfast, brush your teeth,
hug the dog who licked your cheek;
let's get out the door it's late
grab your boots if they're not on
the teacher's waiting
and you have to do some learning-playing.

grateful

for the smiles you greet me with
every morning,
for the demands you make
on my time and my brains;
for the breaths you use
to warm up the house,
for your voices
you raise while still looking
for the right harmony;
for your smile
and your honesty;
for your seemingly endless
galloping energy;
for making me feel needed
and useful and loved
and am grateful to you
children today,
may you grow
to know the same joy!

new year

fresh and cold
the year has started
rather abruptly
the awakening


a whirlwind
of days swept the land
like never before
one rushing always more
than the day before
we had to roll up our sleeves
to tame its furious flow
slow down its entrance
and make its show
pleasant
and suitable to us
and peaceful life

now that we have learned
to tame time, our time
we'll still have to learn
to live with its weather;
warm up our nights;
grow our plants
and cook our foods
gently and with care;
and teach our children
to do the same;
ultimately learn to
brighten our days
and the one belonging to those
less fortunate than us;
so they can too
dance to the music
flowing from above;
equally
on all of us.

fresh and cold
the year has started
rather abruptly
the awakening