Category: Writing Royalty

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 206

Well today was a great day! I found out from my editor, Amber Losson that I will be able to put more pictures in my new book due out soon; SALSA! THE TASTE OF LIFE. You see, I also like to paint and I was going to include some of my art work already.  I can have more of my art work married to my poems and stories in the  new book I am so excited about. I can’t stop ranting about it. And I can’t wait to share it with the world! Enjoy today’s post, it’s also another one of my edited poems from my book. I Love it when a plan comes together; and what I love more, is when a dream becomes reality!

Heart Song

 

So we meet again,

and I see that love,

True love, the deep achy kind

is never for naught.

To love another human being

is truly divine

Whether the beloved

Accepts it or not…

Or if it’s something you fought.

 

Ignoring it

does not degrade or demean;

Love is pure gold.

It never loses its value.

Instead, the more you love,

its market value soars.

So if I tell you, “Te quiero,”

and you run off

scared and bewildered,

is that my fault?

I used to think so,

and now I’m convinced otherwise.

 

 

I gave you some gold from my vault

and gave it freely.

With no strings attached?

Sure. No frills, really!

You couldn’t handle my freedom

And do you know why?

Because what I’ve always given

Is something you’ve never, ever had.

 

 

Love must be chosen;

It can never be forced,

for once it’s coerced,

it ceases being love.

Love is a dove

Perched high up above.

Once you hunt it,

trap it, and cage it,

you kill its sweet song

 

 

So here I am again,

Offering you what I did

all those many years ago,

and you still do as before.

Stand still as if paralyzed

by the warmth of my fuego,

No seas tonto niño

Esto no es un juego…

Games are for children!

 

 

So I’ve decided to be still,

give you all the space,

hide my radiant face

from you…

‘til you wake up

and come to your senses

and answer the call.

 

 

 

Otherwise if I manipulate

guilt and coerce,

what I’ve always felt

will lose purity and intensity

and then I’ll be left

with something far lesser,

cheap and of no value;

Fool’s gold.

 

 

All that glitters is not gold.

My love for you

doesn’t just glitter;

it sparkles and shines.

It lights up my days

and gives me warmth

on the cold, coldest of nights.

If this wasn’t real,

it would have

by now vanished…

 

 

But to prove it to you

as if I need to at all,

the love in my heart

that only keeps growing

one day at a time

will always keep glowing…

whether you like it or not!

Love endures, love never ends.

 

 

If this was selfish,

I would have done all I could

in my feeble power and strength

to cause the bending of our wills.

 

 

But true love is beyond all

that useless struggle and striving.

For you see:

To truly love someone

is to be more concerned

with the state of their soul,

instead of being impressed

by their fancy outward

display of their flesh.

 

 

When love is true,

all self-centered motives go out the door.

And you see the object of your affection

just as you see yourself;

Cold, needy, and poor.

 

 

Take all your time…

Ha! Been feeling like this

for so very long

that it’s now turned

from letters on a page

to my heart’s song.

Don’t misunderstand;

this friendship of ours,

it’s quite grand.

I will never let you go.

 

 

I am not looking for answers,

not even your look of approval,

much less your acceptance.

Those, I already have.

 

Just wanted you to know,

I’m no longer touch and go.

Will you allow me to write

on the pages of your heart

things never written before?

Or will you hold me at arm’s length?

 

Rejection has taught me

A valuable lesson:

Things aren’t always what they seem.

It’s never about me,

in the language of love…

It’s usually about others.

That’s how I’ve learned

of contentment

with very, very little.

 

 

The seeds we have sown,

Where have they all gone?

Fiddle dee-dee sang the fiddle…

Now after many long winters,

watch ‘em sprouting.

We were never doubting,

always knowing

we would see the light of day!

-Eva Santiago Copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 205

I like cats a lot. Dogs are cool but cats DO rule!  When I was a child in and living in Colombia, I have more memories of playing with cats than with dogs. Then I came to the US to live with my uncle he hated cats so all we had were dogs. When I met my husband he was a cat lover and I rediscovered my love of  felines. As I look back, I see that I have written several poems about cats and hardly any about dogs. Hmmmm what does that tell you? 🙂

Today I share with you a poem that you won’t be reading in my new book do out SOON, Salsa! The Taste of Life. I wrote this during a writing session I had with Writing Royalty, my writing group. I hope this makes you smile as you face your Monday!

Madame Fifi

 

I am Madame Fifi;

I stand four feet three.

I live in gay Paris.

I have three cats,

Fiddle, Faddle, and Didi.

 

 

We live in a loft,

where the clouds hang low and soft.

 

 

I go to the opera house,

once or twice per week,

with Frederic Chopin, my pet mouse.

Oh, he’s such a fine gentleman;

I curtsy, and he takes a bow,

and opens the door as we leave our house.

 

 

I wear my mink stole,

in all kinds of weather.

I have several hats also,

one with a beautiful peacock feather.

 

 

I’m so in love,

with wonderful, clever me.

My name fits like a glove.

 

 

I love others as well,

but none love me better

than my cats and pet mouse,

and the old lady that sits at the well.

She is my sister;

we are great friends.

We laugh and get mad;

we tell each other to go to hell.

And through it all,

I know I am loved,

or  my name would not be Fifi.

-Eva Santiago Copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life Day: 204

 Salsa! The Taste of Life, my new book is soon to be released and here is another one of my edited poems. Life is a dance! Some of us move and flow with the music. Others have a hard time following or even keeping up at all. Enjoy your day with your loved ones as you read this poem ask yourself, when was the last time I really let my hair down and danced? If you haven’t, and it’s been a while, just go for it. if you are like me who is still dancing after everything life has thrown at me, then grab someone’s hand who hasn’t danced in a while and dance! 

Dancin’ Shoes

Pointe Shoes

 

Teach me Your dance,

show me Your steps.

Put Your rhythms in my feet,

make me follow Your beat,

make me follow Your lead.

I want to dance to the sounds,

of Your holy music.

You initiated this pas de deux long ago;

Pas de Deux

as You formed me in seclusion.

I’m just now awakening,

to the joyous serenade.

All my life I waited and waited,

for the dance to commence.

It began on the day that You took my hand,

and invited me to dance;

now I know I will tango, mambo,

Mambo
Tango

paso doble,

Paso Doble

salsa,

Salsa Dance

my way into eternity.

I will not be a mere guest,

because I am already a member in this heavenly ball!

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 203

Happy Saturday everyone! I  hope you are enjoying my latest posts; edited parts of my new book, Salsa! The Taste of Life. These never made it into my book because it would have been too big a volume and as I learned, the bigger the book, the harder it is to market. So I had to weed out some things and this was one I hope you enjoy as much as I did, when I penned it. Hug a loved one today and let them know how special they are to you 🙂

 

Cat Walk

 

Palm trees are fashion models who stand tall,

poised, and wide awake.

Ready to wave their bandanas in the air

as they greet the dawn.

 

 

All throughout the day,

holding their perfect posture,

models on a cat walk,

awaiting their cue to take the run way.

 

 

As they strut their stuff—

Wave your hands up in the air!

They seem to beckon.

Kick up your feet and enjoy your day!

 

 

Toward dusk they are still

as the breezes die down

and the day is wrapping up.

 

 

Having done their job well,

they come out and take a bow.

As the lights go out…the show is over.

 

 

They exit the runway,

their arms still a-swaying.

They’ll be back tomorrow at first light

for an encore presentation.

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 202

It’s horribly tragic what just transpired in Aurora Colorado. The selfish, thoughtles and careless act of one person, unleashed loss in families, a community and our nation. Today I will post another one of my poems that didn’t make it into my book, Salsa! The Taste of Life, due out  soon. I want to honor the families that were directly touched by this sudden tragedy…R.I.P.

God‘s Workmanship

 

The Master is forever working, creating, perfecting.

His subject? A living canvas.

He chooses and mixes the various mediums.

What starts out seemingly chaotic, is being made perfect

through His loving touch.

 

 

His discriminating eye is constantly scrutinizing…

the past, He obscures in shades of gray,

lest you forget from where you came.

Accentuating in dazzling hues those things about you,

that deeply touch and delight Him.

 

 

On those days you are feeling frustrated and forgotten:

Do Not Fear! The Master is lovingly letting the canvas rest.

For there are wet layers of paint that must dry:

Deep-seated issues that can’t be worked out overnight.

Tomorrow, He’ll continue where He left off.

 

 

Then there are days of non-stop work.

The canvas cries out, “I’m tired! I have had enough!”

The Master lovingly ignores the pleas,

for He alone knows when to cease.

 

 

At times when your fears seem insurmountable,

and failure is your constant companion.

Rest assured His plan is bigger than the canvas:

He will work it ALL out!

 

 

Those things that hurt,

the wounding you have suffered,

He mixes His tears with dark shades of crimson…

…to remind you He’s been there with you, holding you

as you were shamed and mistreated.

 

Alas, The Master stands back,

the living canvas is nearing completion…NOT!

For this is the work of a lifetime.

May the fullness of the essence of God,

forever wash on your living canvas!

 

 

You Are His work of art on Display!

-Eva Santiago Copyright 2012

YAHOOO!

So you may be asking what am I so happy about. Today I have reached 11,000 views for my blog! I want to thank everyone who has ever stopped by to read my blog. You might think what’s the big deal? Well, I like to celebrate success whether it’s big or small, an achievement is an achievement right? Of course right! 😀 So today I leave you with some funny pics and remember to keep going in whatever path you have chosen for yourself because winners never quit and quitters never win!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 127

I went to a get together last night and I met this young woman. It was her birthday and her appearance inspired me to write this poem in her honor. This is my “picture” of the day. I hope you are enjoying your Sunday and as you prepare for your week, be thankful for everything you have and everyone in your life 🙂

MAZE of HAIR

You peer at me through a maze of hair,
your eyes are dark, crying in despair.
You wonder if I care.
As you peek at me through your maze of hair,
your demons roar from the lion’s lair.
I know deep down,
no one in your short life has ever been fair.
You peek at me through your maze of hair,
your eyes looking at mine- a sacred stare.
Baby, I wish I could hold you.
Baby, I wish to tell you I care.
Baby, I want to soothe you-
wanna let you know I’m there.

What happened to you- I ponder and wonder,
to make you hide behind all your hair.
Your scars you wear on your face,
a cry for help from a soul in disrepair.
Your mask is your hair.
Your demons peer at me from the lion’s lair.
Our eyes connect for a moment- in a sacred stare.
Your cuts in your flesh,the slashes on your face,
you bleed out your pain,
but there’s one who’s already taken your place.
You’re numb.
You say you don’t feel anything.
You’re numb.
You say you don’t care.

But as you hide in your maze of hair,
I know you think opposite.
You hide in your maze of hair,
‘cause all inside is a big ‘ole mess,
broken to bits and in disrepair,
waiting for someone to sort out the mess.
Your demons scream from the lion’s lair,
they call out to stay away-
“Don’t you come near- don’t even dare!”
Your demons are numb.
Your demons are dumb.
They have no power.
In the dark they cower.

As you hide behind all of your hair,
the light has come,
darkness cannot mingle with light.
Light apprehends the night.
And the demons no longer fight.

Eva Santiago © 2012

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 124

ALL NIGHT

I stayed up all night,
pondering and pacing,
with sweaty palms and heart racing;
what to do what’s the next step?
You don’t care, this I know.
All that concerns you,
is your one man show.

I stayed up all night,
pondering and pacing,
with sweaty palms and heart racing,
What are you gonna do girl?
You are here and he’s in another world.

I stayed up all night,
pondering and pacing,
with sweaty palms and heart racing,
4 young souls looking at me,
they all seek an answer.

I stayed up all night,
pondering and pacing,
with sweaty palms and heart racing,
Why are you so mean?
Won’t you ever come clean?

Alas, sleep came ever so sweetly,
I fought her I did,
sleep came ever so sweetly,
weighing down both my eye lids,
took my cares away and I left the scene quickly.

Eva Santiago © 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 108

 

 

Mojave Desert  Showers

I like the sound of rain,
it makes me feel like dancin’,
Sube y Baja (Up and down),
Pa’ riba pa’bajo (Side to side),
Cha-cha-cha!
Ooh yeah, the rain it makes me dance inside,
saturates my soul,
fills me with delight.
Agua santa, pura y ( Holy water, clean and pure),
Me llena de esperanza (I’m alive with hope),
Se me alegra el Corazon (My heart has found the cure).
The rain drops: Diamonds from heaven,
out in this desolation,
washes over and refreshes
lonely, lowly ,anguished souls.
Diamonds falling from the sky:
Psshh, psshh,psshh,
Sshhm sshh, sshh,
Trssh, trssh, trrrssh,
Music to my ears-
makes me feel like singin’,
songs of sheer delight.
The sound of rain,
moves me in thanksgivin’,
to the one who sent me diamonds from the sky.

Eva Santiago © 2002

365 Snap shots of Life: Day 105

FIESTA!

The flamenco dancer
her name was Penelope,
stepped up on the dance floor
and lost herself in ecstasy.
Her voluptuous body
covered in violet and magenta,
taffeta with silk organza.
Her feet in black heels.
Her hands clicking the castanets.
All the men there spinning their wheels.
Penelope’s chocolate tresses,
flowed in the wind in gentle caresses.
Penelope the flamenco warrior,
used her fan as her shield,
warding away male impetuous stares.
She arched her sensual body,
dainty hands wove intricate patterns
throwing away all of her cares.

Eva Santiago © 2012