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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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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Inside My Brain, Through My Heart
A Memory of Joy There are those days when it all seemed rightWhen no storms were overheadThe breeze of a lazy August day enveloped youand You wanted to lie down in Lincoln Park and Hug the person beside you.That summer… Continue reading
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Bargain With the Devil
We’ve all done it.Even if we don’t admit it.We make a bargain with the Devil, the evil in life, to get something we really want.Thinking it’s okay.Just this once.With our bosses.With politicians.With money people.With the friends we wish were our… Continue reading
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The Construction of Words
Writing is not easy The words in my brain swirl around like balls in one of those bingo cages Turning over and over again waiting to be spat outB10 A36 D0Constructing Words Building a sentence A meaning Something that makes… Continue reading
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Sand Water Sky
On June 26, 1984, at 12:01 a.m., after what seemed like a forever trip from Washington, D.C., I landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to begin my 42 years of life to date in Southern California, and man, it’s… Continue reading
