Black Velvet Sweater - 100-word snippet

When I was about four years old, my mother made me a beautiful black velvet sweater. She put it on me one cold morning. That was my only layer and it did not keep me warm. I shivered and my teeth chattered as I was buying sweet rice from a street vendor. I was not comfortable, but everywhere I went, I received a compliment about the black velvet sweater. I was a quiet child and did not complain. Perhaps I was too cold to talk. I learned at the early age that you cannot judge the book by its cover.

Memories of You

You are still very much in my memories

In your garden of roses and orchids
The flowers flourished under your care
And repaid you with beautiful blossoms in warm air

At the corner that marks your name

We sat on the grey cement block
I took off what was left of your hair
And cut the nails of your thin fingers short

You had a peaceful smile on your face

With a calm acceptance of a dreadful fate
You did not show me your pain
Nor any doubts you might have had of your faith

We took a walk on the waterfront

I learned about your love of boating
I learned about the loneliness of a young soldier
And the devotion to his wife and daughter

I learned about your philosophy of life

A red rose though simple, it shows beauty and grace
I learned about your adoration of life
The joy friendships bring, the blessings you’ve got

It was the last season of fall we were together
I’m grateful for the chance to be with you then, forever
A few days of an almost carefree time
A road trip to San Diego, we three took

It’s been two years since you departed

The train trip that still carries me on
I’ll be back to where we once were sitting
To give her my love while we share the memories of you

Collage 28

In this collage of happy faces

I feel

Your love through hugs

Your happiness through smiles

In the Austin spring

You run and bike

You ride a stroller

You’re knighted

You read a book

You chew on fingers

You’re growing up

You fly

I wish I were there

To laugh with you

Hug you tight

To read with you

Hug you tight

To run with you

Hug you tight

To kiss you a hundred times

Each

And

Hug you tight

In April…You Went Away

You went away… not by yourself!

But along with me and the steadfast love we had;

Together with children in tow,

We clung to hopes and dreams stashed in a luggage.

          We did not quite know where to start;

          We drew and painted a pretty chart

          Where mountains and rivers warmly received us;

          Yet we didn’t forget the hard time of old.

Now when there is nothing else to do,

I take you round and round to… flowers to look at!

I loved you so much back then,

And now I surely love you no less!

Then I adored you with all my heart,

Now… my adoration has not changed with time!

          The month of April was long and dark;

          We remember the arduous time from when we marched.

Have we not been richly and fully blessed?

Yet often I hear a quiet prayer of your request:

 “Please keep his black hair from turning white,

And grant me always the beautiful color of youth.”

translated from Tháng Tư… Em Đi - Nguyễn Phú Long

chuyển ngữ từ bài Tháng Tư… Em Đi - Nguyễn Phú Long

Tháng Tư…Em Đi!

Em đi…nào có một mình!

Với anh và với cuộc tình sắt son;

Dập dìu cái cái con con;

Hành trang hy vọng để còn mai sau.

     Nhẩn nha rồi lại bắt đầu

     Bàn tay tô điểm cùng nhau vẽ vời

     Núi sông cây cỏ đón mời

     Em vui mà chẳng quên thời long đong.

Nơi đây, những lúc thong dong

Anh đưa em lượn lòng vòng…thám hoa!

Khi xưa yêu dấu thiết tha

Bây giờ đang độ mặn mà dấu yêu!

     Khi xưa thương mến bao nhiêu,

     Bây giờ…thế đó rất nhiều mến thương!

     Tháng Tư hun hút chặng đường

     Nhớ chăng dâu biển đọan trường dần xưa.

Trời ban vậy vậy đã vừa?

Âm thầm em vẫn sớm trưa nguyện cầu:

“Thiếp xin chàng chớ bạc đầu,

 Thiếp thì giữ mãi lấy mầu trẻ trung.”

                          

  

Happy Birthday to Ron

When you were forty

Did you know that you’d be

Having fun when you’re seventy

Rolling two celebrations

Into one festive destination

Twice the fun

Twice the exclamations!!

I anticipate your smile

And your appreciation

For all the friends who gather

To help you share the jubilation

May you have twice the blessings

To share with others what you’re given

Happy fortieth, dear friend

Though I did not know you then

Happy seventieth, with affection

Enjoy the birthday bash in exultation

Thank you for the friendship

It is a joy to be Graciela

To mi hermano Ron Cruz 

Collage 27

If you're happy and you know it, climb a rope
If you're happy and you know it, kiss your sis
If you're happy and you know it, then your friend will surely share it
If you're happy and you know it, give a smile
If you're loved and you know it, snuggle tight
If you're loved and you know it, wear a stripe
If you're loved and you know it, then grandmas will surely like it
If you're loved and you know it, be a lamb
If you're tired and you know it, rest your head
If you're tired and you know it, close your eyes
If you're tired and you know it, then slumber will surely have it
If you're tired and you know it, dream sweet dreams

All I Need To Do...

It must be hard for you to understand

How I have fallen into despair

My heart cries out but no one hears

Its deepening sacred fears

My feelings are not ruled by logic

So there should not be a logical cure

I yearn for your love and touch

But they can give me a panic scare

I see myself standing astride

A chasm so deep and wide

I am facing a momentous time

One step may see me forever gone

Your touch I won’t feel

Your whispers dispersed in the air

A force so strong is pulling me ahead

The illusion of its allure I must fight

All I need to do…

All I need to do is…

To turn around to look at your face

To see the love I sometimes fail to realize

To know the tears are shed just for me

And again in your arms I’ll feel protected

All I need to do...

All I need to do is…

To take stock of what I’ve left behind

To seek to regain the balance of my mind

To take a deep breath and concentrate

On the important messages of the day

All I need to do…

All I need to do is…

To say out loud that it matters to me

To know I’m worthy to accept your love

To ask for strength and courage to come from within

So I can calmly walk away if ever the chasm reappears

Please keep talking to me, for

All I need to do is

To hear your voice

And know you’re there