Potpourri

Here is a potpourri of sketches in Spanish and English

Aqui les paso un potpourri de bosquejos en Ingles y Español

Pendulum (ying-yang)

Going:

Hallucinating drank from bitter rum

Cursed the fate that came his way…

Exhausted slammed his cabin door

To be alone detached from all

Yearned to rot away till gone.

He drilled holes to sink his ship

But threw a bottle-note to sea

That to port he will not reach

To think him dead and be forgotten.

Returning:

Why sink you heart so full of treasures,

You wish to go and shun your worth

Sinking there having reached nowhere

Without a fight you die in vain

Brave all your chances you are alive

Sober up and plug those holes

Float your boat and set your sails

For this journey you will not fail

The middle:

If you don’t come I will mourn you dead

Come my arms wait, but …go don’t stay

And no silly notes to announce you’re there.

Oracion al cristal al vino y la vela:

Tomo una copa de vino, mis ojos se pierden mirando tras cristal una vela que salpica colores – 

Visiones de siesta despierta… deseo que en el mundo de los días contados; que un simple soplo la vela llueva estrellas cadentes; que no falten pedidos ni se pierdan los sueños al olvido, ni tampoco resten ilusiones sin visiones.

Para pedirle al cielo mejores ficciones, deseo… que con viento que apaga una vela cansada, todo lo malo se fuera… y cuando me reencuentre a mi alma no se halle cansada.

If

I have nothing but my humble words to offer and pirate soul full of treasures meant for you as a measure of my breath. I beg you please take my words in their true worth tonight; for if tomorrow never comes, all the past uttered ones and now will echo in the skies for the stars to keep forever. And when you reminisce on a pirate’s flag or any sign of a one-eyed dreamer soul forgone, hope you evoke my image with the assurance that my life is infinitely real.

A taste of you

As I take this breath from you

Energized from warmth we seek to embrace

From ages left apart now held so tight

Touched our lips on this first time

A taste of you that came to life

Enchanting fragrance of surrender

Embraced in love before the stars

Spreads your warmth in million parts

Twirling petals drift our scents

A taste of you that came to life

For time took long our breaths apart

Distanced hearts far longed so much

This day to reunite what feels so right

Set us free our breaths entwine

A taste of you that came to life

Witness heavens and the Above

A love so deep the birds did cry

Locked hearts as breath entwine

Blessed with life that comes to us

A taste of you that is my life

Gota de fuego:

Cruza una gota de fuego suspensa en el aire

Luz que alumbra su marcha a lo largo

Fluye al impulso del viento que sopla p’alante

De esos movidos por sueños, de ardor por vivir

Surca una línea encendida que se hace distante

Se esfuma llevando su aliento, y envuelta un su fuego

Rastros de luz y esperanza, … puntito de alma… se va

Luciérnaga

The Druid of The North

He was a man of solemn air with white long hair and a beard. His emerald green eyes revealed the inner peace of a knowledgeable and polished soul full of wisdom and compassion.

She walked closer to greet the Druid and thought of hiding herself behind her royal demeanor and to offer him only her distant self.  However, at the exact moment she looked into his eyes, she felt drawn to his aura of immense empathy; all her inhibitions, her royal distance vanished as if she had never had them and finding herself instantly at ease.  So transparent were his eyes that she offered him her full sight in return… the way she really was without her shields. Moments passed without an exchange of words; a silence of intimate depth... as the queen began to recall the purpose of her trip she broke down in tears.

He took her hands and said in a soft calming voice “you came to me in great doubts and fears; I am here to help you, we must talk your majesty…” 

This is how the Queen and the druid made their first acquaintance. Soon she began to feel confident, a genuine sense of trust entered her heart, and for the first time in her life, she felt that she could share with someone her most protected secrets.  

They paced slowly through his village learning from each other as people greeted them courteously.  Following a road that took them to the outskirts of the town, he took her to the top of a hill where they sat by the shade of an old oak tree that overlooked golden fields of barley.  Like a lake made of silky golden stems arched by grains of plenty; the tall grassy carpet swayed gently with the west winds rolling in mellow oscillations. Caressed by the breeze, her soft skin felt wrapped by a magical freshness that brought to heart her one-eyed-pirate… she imagined herself lifted by her waist, then slipping down his arms she felt embraced - her hair streaming out to blend among the fields of gold…

       Note: The fields of barley location was inspired from a song 
      called "Fields of Gold” by Sting (Gordon Sumner) 
      featured in 'Ten Summoner's Tales' album 1993.

“My dear Queen, I dare to say that you are on a dilemma with regards to the pirate, the witch and with yourself.  Your uncertainties began to spring since you started to exchange letters with the pirate that my friendly fleet of seagulls so graciously offered to convey.  I also know of this immense climate of love that you and Eaglehook have created based on the verses he writes – Yes, Eaglehook the reckless adventurer, the gambler, the poet at heart, who dresses as a pirate to hide his giving nature and who is madly in love with you!” 
 
“Oh, how do you know all this?” the Queen asked in a surprised yet calm voice.  “There is very little I don’t know, my Queen.  My connections go far and deep, it is from this network that I learn the best and worst from all of you.  Your disappearance from your Queendom, the luring and the spell the witch of prejudice over you, your convenient captivity and location, were never a mystery to me.” … 
 

“Why did you not come to my rescue?”, the queen intervened. 
 
“The most compelling reason is that, albeit your captivity, the witch has allowed you to maintain a very reasonable life that eventually protected you from devastating blows you suffered in your Queendom.  I knew your royal duties obliged you to act in a stately fashion all the time forcing you to hide your real feeling simply to maintain appearances; the witch came at a proper time and the move was welcomed by you – I had no reason to interfere.  She offered you a shelter and you willingly moved to hide your soul.

  The Pirate Waits...
  Had once embarked your life 

 To share a sea as two in one
  In joy brought life thrice more
  Gale a storm so strong a squall 
  Gusts like furry it took its toll
  Broken course stood no bearing
  In pain for years you sailed alone
  A salty sea dissolved your sorrow

  A busking pirate-troubadour staged
  Scores like music strings his poems,
  Words as chords with tender tones
  Strumming songs to soothe your heart
  With words, love brings your life in tune
  Turning rocks, your efforts planted
 

 His own course unknown for certain
  Words like wine a pirate serves
  Drink you yearn his love sincere
  Thirst and pain your labor cost you
  Words swallow hard to trust be real
  Slumbered love you forced to rest
  In fear its course can hurt

  Words you drink with reason’s past
  Taste dreams for delusion certain
  Word you drink with heart to last
  Taste dreams and in love be certain
  Is how you drink and wish you taste
  The pirate pours his drink to savor
  Tide, wind, stars his ship to sail
  Shores his heart, his words, his soul
  He waits…  

“The second reason why I did not help you gain your freedom has to do with the witch. She has been my rival for hundreds of years; my most dangerous adversary.  I dare not challenge her another time unless I have a winning formula to defeat her.  I have lost on eight occasions and each time I lost, it cost me a life!  This is my eighth life and I do not have another one to spare; if I die trying I will be gone until kingdom comes!  

“When I heard of your beautiful love story from pelican Ignatius, a common friend I have with Eaglehook, I saw a chance to defeat the dreaded witch once and for all.  But I cannot do it alone and need your cooperation”  

“Yes, I want to help”, said the Queen, “but if we get rid of the witch, I will be left unprotected, my heart will be exposed, I will be found and will have to return to My Queendom!  I am also afraid to be vulnerable to love as Eaglehook comes closer… I am afraid to fall for him although I truly want to.” 

“You will be tested my dear Queen.  The witch is aware of all your vulnerabilities, your fears, and your new found love for the pirate.  At this point, she has an enormous advantage by holding the pirate captive.  She knows for sure that you will at least attempt to set him free; although what you secretly want is to make him yours forever..."

“She plans to torture and finally kill the pirate in front of you" continues the Druid,  "to exert her dominance and make you her slave forever.  Now, if she finds out that I am helping, she will throw you in the dungeons to take revenge and force me to come to your rescue; a confrontation that if I loose will kill me – a very difficult situation...
I am sure that as we speak the witch is torturing the brave pirate, trying to find out of your whereabouts, she is relentless and her methods debilitate the strongest wills, at the end all succumb to her malevolent manipulations.  We must act fast and take advantage of all our resources, the pirate, his crew, the fairies, elves, you and I; believe me we will have to work together.  Here is my plan…”

Remenbering Neruda - Acordandome de Neruda

Deseo compartir con ustedes uno de los poemas más conmovedores de la literatura hispana escrito por gran maestro Pablo Neruda.  Incluyo un fotomontaje con narración que encontré por acaso en YouTube que es simplemente fenomenal.  Este video lo edito Cesar Senra que dicho sea de paso tiene un  canal-vídeo muy interesante que la pueden encontrar aquí. 
Sin muchos rodeos vamos directo al grano. - Los invito a leer y escuchar al: 
Poema No 20 de “20 poemas de amor y una canción desesperada” por Pablo Neruda.                          

I would like to share with you one of the most moving poems of Hispanic literature written by great master Pablo Neruda.  Included is a slideshow and narration that I found by chance in YouTube that is simply phenomenal.  The video was edited by a Cesar Senra that has an interesting video channel that you can find here.
Let’s be brief and go directly to the point.  - I invite you to read and listen to:
Poem No. 20 from “20 love poems and one desperate song” by Pablo Neruda.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.  - Pablo Neruda

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.   Escribir, por ejemplo : 'La noche está estrellada, y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos'. El viento de la noche gira en el cielo y canta. Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso. En las noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos. La besé tantas veces bajo el cielo infinito. Ella me quiso, a veces yo también la quería. Cómo no haber amado sus grandes ojos fijos. Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche. Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido. Oir la noche immensa, más inmensa sin ella. Y el verso cae al alma como al pasto el rocío. Qué importa que mi amor no pudiera guardarla. La noche está estrellada y ella no está conmigo. Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos. Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido. Como para acercarla mi mirada la busca. Mi corazón la busca, y ella no está conmigo. La misma noche que hace blanquear los mismos arboles. Nosotros, los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos. Ya no la quiero, es cierto pero cuánto la quise. Mi voz buscaba el viento para tocar su oído. De otro. Será de otro. Como antes de mis besos. Su voz, su cuerpo claro. Sus ojos infinitos. Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero tal vez la quiero. Es tan corto al amor, y es tan largo el olvido. Porque en noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos, mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido. Aunque ésta sea el último dolor que ella me causa, y éstos sean los últimos versos que yo le escribo.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines. Write, for example, 'The night is shattered,and the blue stars shiver in the distance.' The night wind revolves in the sky and sings. Tonight I can write the saddest lines. I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too. Through nights like this one I held her in my arms.  I kissed her again and again under the endless sky. She loved me, and sometimes I loved her too. How could one not have loved her great still eyes? Tonight I can write the saddest lines.  To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her. To hear the immense night, still more immense without her, And the verse falls to the snow like dew to the pasture. What does it matter that my love could not keep her. That night is shattered and she is not with me. This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance. My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her. My sight searches for her as though to go to her. My heart looks for her, and she is not with me. The same night whitening the same trees. We, of that time, are no longer the same. I no longer love her, that is certain, but how I loved her. My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing. Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before. Her voice. Her bright body. Her infinite eyes, I no longer love her, that is certain, but maybe I love her. Love is so short, forgetting is so long. Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms my soul is not satisfied that it has lost her. Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer, and these the last verses that I write for her.

 
©1997 "Puedo escribir los versos mas triste." From Selected Poems of Pablo Neruda. Translated by W. S. Merwin, Published by random house U.K. LTD.