Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - If you think my poetry is bad you should see my paintings

If you think my poetry is bad you should see my paintings (reply)

Oeste Hermoso — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 19:00:25 +0000

This is the closest I have come to writing a poem in Spanish. I do read Mexican poetry in English and Spanish. "Reversible Monuments- Contemporary Mexican Poetry" is quite good. Back in 1959 when they were both living in Paris, Octavio Paz hired Samuel Beckett to translate "An Anthology of Mexican Poetry". Beckett, who knew little Spanish, did not like many of the poems but needed the pre-Godot dough.

Sonnet for Español in Zihuatanejo
Ice is for drinks not rinks, Spanish word is ‘Hielo’.
‘Hola’ say amigos, No one yells ‘hello’.
Spanish for rain is ‘lluvia’ which I did not know.
Got it wrong because the word is ‘Español’.
‘Vi lluever’ means it is raining, you guess
literary devices, pathetic fallacy at best.

Wave ‘hola’ and ola crashes into the Pacific coast.
Wave ‘good by’ and it is a very specific ‘adios’.
Sun sets of hues yellow, red and grapefruit.
Fiestas in my seer sucker or white linen suit.
When she says ‘once’ she means eleven.
You only live once; I’ve gone to heaven.

Despite the Third’s lament,
There is no winter’s discontent.

World Poetry AND Benito Juarez Days (reply)

Yandosan — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 18:21:31 +0000

Any historical poetry is refreshing.
One of my favorite songs by the Clash mentions the black cars of the Guardia Civil
and Federico Lorca...love it. Whoever thought "punk rockers" could be so
sentimental?

World Poetry AND Benito Juarez Days (reply)

ZihuaRob — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:35:29 +0000

Which is my excuse to post this poem which I wrote for Heidi Nygard’s Birthday.

Benito Juarez in New Orleans 1853

Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast?
Juarez rolls cigars in old New Orleans.
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”.

Rolling all day, at night there is no release.
At night Juarez writes of Mexico’s dreams.
Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast?

Guerrero guerillas soon to be deceased.
Indian orphan lawyer to Governor.
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”.

Rolling puros is no Creole feast.
Back when Mexico’s heart had less love in her.
Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast?

Rolling coronas until the day ceased.
By day his fingers roll puros robusta.
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”.

Who wears the corona matters the least.
At night drafting the Plan of Ayutla.
Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”?

Very cool! Is there a Spanish version?

World Poetry AND Benito Juarez Days

Oeste Hermoso — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:10:07 +0000

Which is my excuse to post this poem which I wrote for Heidi Nygard’s Birthday.

Benito Juarez in New Orleans 1853

Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast?
Juarez rolls cigars in old New Orleans.
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”.

Rolling all day, at night there is no release.
At night Juarez writes of Mexico’s dreams.
Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast?

Guerrero guerillas soon to be deceased.
Indian orphan lawyer to Governor.
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”.

Rolling puros is no Creole feast.
Back when Mexico’s heart had less love in her.
Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast?

Rolling coronas until the day ceased.
By day his fingers roll puros robusta.
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”.

Who wears the corona matters the least.
At night drafting the Plan of Ayutla.
Slouching towards el DF is what rough beast
Writing “Respect for rights of others is Peace”?