Poetry
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Catching Memories
On August 25, 2026, I will mark the six-month anniversary of my stroke. Over the next few days, I’m revisiting my early writing from that traumatic period. It’s strange what you miss when you have a stroke. One moment, your… Continue reading
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Searching for Words
On August 25, 2026, I will mark the six-month anniversary of my stroke. Over the next few days, I’m revisiting my early writing from that traumatic period. Something changes in you when your brain breaks. A stroke. Even a mild… Continue reading
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America, My Country Too
I was born in the United States of America and grew up here. The South Bronx.From an early age, I was taught that this nation was the greatest in the world. No doubts about it.In Catholic elementary school (1954-1962), we… Continue reading
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Baghdad by the Bay…A Love Letter
We’re going back to San Francisco in September to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary, as we’ve done irregularly over the past 41 years or so. I really love that city. Something about its history, weather, people, culture, and compactness just… Continue reading
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Those Illegals
We don’t care.There is no empathy left in us.No sympathy.No care in the universe.We know who they are.Where they came fromacross an oceanEnglandPortugalSpainFranceItalyGermanySo many lands We have enough pain in our worldwe cannotwill notassume the debt of their painWe refused… Continue reading
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Untitled Random Poems #3
The poetry of lifewords on a pagestreaming out of my mind singing like a sageSounds abound dancing sALSA in my soulmy fEET have foundmERENGUE has no fears.the poetry of mAMBO in my heart crying from deep inside Our music will… Continue reading
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Old(er): An Epic Journey
Part Two “Eat Life like you’re starving. You may feel full at the end of the day, but damn, it tasted good.” antonio pedro ruiz I remember the moment I touched down at LAX Los Angeles Airport like it was… Continue reading
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Instructions For Making and Using an Ax Handle
An Ax Handle, also called a haft, has five parts: the Eye, the Shoulder, the Belly, the Throat, and the Knob. ALL we wanted was to be served lunchat the whites-only lunch counterInside a F.W. Woolworthfive-and-dime store In Jacksonville, Florida,… Continue reading
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A Yankee Baseball Game
My annual tribute to my father, Antonio “Tony” Ruiz. My father never took me to a Yankees game when I was a kid. That was the secret burden of resentment I carried for a long time. At some point before… Continue reading
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Four Months
Today marks four months since my mini-stroke. “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell It seems so long ago, but it’s been… Continue reading
