She sits there in the cold
A hooded head
Hair face a wrinkled map
Missing her teeth
She is far from dead
She sits there in the cold
Her tiny frame
Trying to be bold
And she has no one to hold
She sits there in the cold
Her aged eyes
Tell you no lies
Her soul she never sold
She sits there in the cold
Folding her fragile hands
In the folds of her coat
Her life story is hidden in the sands
-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
What is life for if you can’t enjoy yourself? Why has religion crushed all that is good in this life? Why do you allow yourself to be led by all the shoulds and ought-not-to’s they rammed down our throats when we didn’t know any better.
Todos dejamos trozos de nuestras almas con otros, en la esperanza que no nos lleguen hacer el mal. We all leave bits of our souls with others in the hopes that they won’t harm us. That’s a life truly lived; when you aren’t afraid of getting hurt. When you know that the wounds left by others are now a warrior’s scars.
-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
WORD PICTURES
Who is he anymore? Why doesn’t he give a damn? Knowing that he doesn’t; why does he expect anyone else to care? He sucks the life out of everyone and then wonders why they stay away. He is a bankrupt soul. She won’t let him put her in the red because she won’t give him the power or permission to do so. Their little girl asks, “ Is he ashamed of what he does?” And there is a clear answer to her alarming question: “ No he is not.”
He is a wreck who has tried to demolish other lives and yet there is one life he can’t touch. Oh, he persisted incessantly but he failed. His bitterness oozes out of the volcano that is his heart. The turbid lava oozes out and scorches everything that gets in his way. It is vile what he does, and he sees it not. Hatred blinds the soul and it does more than that. Animosity pierces his heart and he becomes the scorpion who stings himself to death. He inflicts his poison on himself and when he opens his mouth everyone runs for cover.
He wasn’t always a beast. She remembers when his touch was gentle; when she could lay her weary head on his shoulder and everything in her world was fine. He let her see the good guy in him when their love was new and budding. He gave her hope because she was running on empty. She let down the moat to her isolated heart just this once because back then he was a knight minus the shining amour. This knight was different because his armor was covered with the dents and chinks that come from the many wars he’d fought. He’d lost more battles than he wanted to admit. He still had bits of his heart left. She let him in.
That was then, this is now. The good memories persist in her mind because that is all that she has left of him now. He walks about the place looking to pick on the weaker ones. She dodges his flaming arrows. At night she goes to sleep alone and wondering when the end will come. Her tears drench her pillow as she pleads with her God to bring an end to the suffering. She slips away into her dreams of a better tomorrow where they are both free from each other. Where they both have found peace.
-Eva Santiago copyright 2012
WORD PICTURES
Yesterday he told her how stupid she was; not right out with those words. No, the damage he caused her was far worse. He conveyed the message through hateful glares, disgusted looks and intimidating hollers. She could never do right in his eyes. For the thousands of times he belittled her with his actions and words, he’d every now and then scoop her tiny frame in his big arms telling her he loved her. He didn’t see that his millions of insults to her young soul were drowning out his occasional ‘I love yous’.
She started out her life with her daddy as many young girls do; adoring him even to the point of thinking he was a god. Her big, round honey colored eyes were in constant search of him as she waited each day for him to come home after work. She always tried to do something , anything to get his attention. When she couldn’t, she’d do naughty things because he trained her that in order for him to notice her, she had to be bad because her good behavior went un-noticed by him.
Then one day he had a dream. A shocking yet telling dream. He awoke with a start and was frightened much like a person when they’ve seen a ghost. He said he had seen her face disfigured. Someone had cut up her beautiful face and he couldn’t recognize his little girl. Her lips were so messed up, she couldn’t even smile. He went to a wise sage and inquired of the dream’s meaning. She told him that he was the one disfiguring his daughter’s soul through his mishandling of her . The blind man returned home completely confounded and he never changed his ways with her.
Years passed the adorable little girl turned into a stunning beauty. Everyplace she goes, people seek her light. The young men trip over their own two feet just to make her acquaintance. She is amazing both inside and out. Yet there is a secret she carries in her soul that not too many know of. She is deathly afraid. To look at her you’d never believe it. But upon closer observation you could recognize it if you’ve walked the paths she’s tread on. In her budding soul are the dark markings her father’s emotional abuse and neglect left her with. She is scarred and the blemishes cover up her self-worth. She doesn’t recognize herself. She is much afraid of men because the one put in her life to protect her did anything but. So she hides in the shadows of her tormented past wondering how she’ll ever recover her dignity
Fathers: Be careful how you handle your daughters! They are gifts to you from up above. Love them and be a safe landing-place for their hearts. Protect them from the predator wolves that are out their waiting to snatch them, entangling them with their vicious lies.
-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
The other day I was doing some school work with Esther and we discussed what prose is. She said she didn’t understand the word at all so we looked it up.
Prose- A prose work that has poetic characteristics such as vivid imagery and concentrated expression.
She still drew a blank . So I told her my definition; word pictures or observations. She smiled and said she preferred my definition because it made sense.
So I offer you a word picture today!
Random Acts of Kindness
Have you ever walked by a card shop and thought, ‘ Hmmm I’d like to get that card for my sister .’ You stop and think about it;mulling it over in your brain and then you dismiss that thought and move on? What if that card was what your sister needed to get her through her day? We all do it. We have an inkling of a thought to do a spontaneous act of kindness for someone and then poof, quick as a flash we dismiss it and we pass up on the chance to have made someone’s life better.
Next time that happens think about this: What if when God was considering sending us His Son to save us, He just dismissed it and went on about His business? After all, He is a busy God! But He followed through and did what He purposed in His heart to do from the very start!
When I finished my book, Salsa! The Taste of Life,
my new book soon to be released; I wondered just who I could dedicate it to. My first book, As Clear as Claire Gets, A Conversation with the Past,
I dedicated to one of my nephews. His graduation from high school was around the time of my book release so I thought, ‘ What a fine present for a young man who has everything!’ Now, I tried to talk myself out of it at first. I reasoned I didn’t really know him and I came up with other excuses and then I decided to go with my gut instinct and do what I had purposed in my heart from the start. I’m so glad I did because I’ll never forget the look on that young man’s face when I presented him with a copy of my book at his graduation. It was priceless!
Last night something wonderful happened. My daughter Raxy’s bestfriend came over for a sleep over. I had dedicated Salsa! 
to her and when I told her, last month, on her birthday, that the dedication was my present, that little girl was ecstatic about having her name in my book. Yesterday,when her mom dropped her off, she stopped in for a bit and I showed her my proof copy of Salsa! . When she saw her daughter’s name in the dedication section of the book, she was overcome with emotion and we hugged. I tell you, I live for moments like these.
Don’t wait for a special moment. Do a random act of kindness for someone and see how it lights up their world. The old adage is true: It is better to give than to receive. When you have an inkling to do something for someone, do so. Those in the unseen realm see what you do here in this life and they are pleased.
-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
I read this message I’m posting by Tyler Perry this morning and it’s what I needed today. So I’m sharing it with you in hopes it’ll give you a great start to a good week-end. Happy Friday all 🙂
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Hey guys,If you can get this, this will change your life… I was out taking my morning run. I love how still it is when I’m running. I can hear clearly and really commune with God. I wanted to share this with you. It’s a lesson I had to learn.
One of the keys to success is to be able to guard your heart. Now, usually when someone says guard your heart they are talking about keeping yourself from heartbreak. Although that is important (as long as you don’t go overboard… but that’s another conversation) that isn’t what I’m talking about. When we are born into this world we enter with such a pure heart but as we grow older situations, circumstances and people tend to make us change. Now I know it is nearly impossible to keep a childlike innocence in our hearts all of our lives, especially after people have betrayed, lied, mistreated and downright been the devil. Trust me when I tell you, I have seen it all. I have been there big time. If you’re like me you’ve been there too. But if this is your situation I want you to know two very important things about those moments of heartbreak. Number one, learn the lesson in it. See how it will work together for your good, because it will. Once you do, it’s easier to forgive and move on. Secondly, and this is just as important as the first one, you must not let that person or people change your heart. What do I mean by that? Well, if you are a giver and someone you have given to misuses your gift, don’t stop giving… just give to someone else. If you are a person that loves people and someone you love hates you, don’t stop loving… love someone else. Eventually, you will find people who appreciate your kindness and your love. Remember this, lots of people have been conditioned to not be able to accept purity of heart. They can’t take it in. Most times it’s not even their fault. It’s just what has happened to them on their journey in life. But don’t let them turn you into one of them. There will be a lot of people in your life who will not appreciate your pureness of heart. If they hurt you don’t stop being you… just be you with someone else. |
What would the blogging world do without Pinterest? OMG!! We all have those day when posting funny pics is about all we can do. Laughter IS the best medicine they say; well the way things have been lately, it’s time to take a few spoonfuls ! So I’m glad I can do my share to contribute to our mental health. ENJOY!
HOLA!! Here comes yet another edited poem that didn’t make it into my new book, SALSA! THE TASTE of LIFE which will be out in a little while. I wrote this when I was going through a rough spot of feeling as if life were passing me by. I sat down and this poem just came gushing out of my pen and unto the pages of my journal. I felt so good after I finished it because I took it as God comforting me and letting me know He never forgets me. I hope this soothes you as it did me 🙂 HUGS!!!!
Your Tears
The wind howls outside,
“Won’t you let me come in?”
It beckons: “Follow me!
Girl! Get up and at ‘em!
Your life IS passing you by.”
The wind howls outside my window;
Knock, knock, a knocking on my resistance.
Whispers ever so cunningly,
“Surely there is somewhere way better.
Won’t you find out?”
The wind, it blows in my ear;
a strange lover seducing me with sweet songs:
“You are too good for this, Mujer.
You deserve BETTER.
What are you doing just giving your life away,
for the sake of others?
No one does THAT anymore!”
The wind scolds me;
I feel it, a whip stinging my raw emotions—
¡Estupida! When are you going to learn:
In this life, nice never pays!
GO! Find your way.
GO! Get your life back.
You should’ve never thrown it away, ¡Tonta!
“Be still, mi alma!”
Silence…
Uno, dos, tres…
Here comes the gentle breeze,
the one who doesn’t knock me around,
rocks me gently to and fro.
Sweet, sweet lullaby in the night;
I fall deep in a restful slumber,
only to wake up to your gentle caresses.
The lover of my soul whispering to me,
“You are my girl, the one I lose sleep over.
The one I weep for as I pick up your tears
and collect them in this flask,
and with which I bathe my face.
Your tears are the fragrance I wear.
Never stop shedding them;
I gave them as my gift, so your heart can be healed.
In my world, nothing is wasted,
Not even one single tear.”
One day I will show you
what your tears have done.
For now I will tell you,
every single tear you’ve shed,
since the day your heart broke
for the very first time.
I stored your tears in a safe place;
as a rich man hordes gold.
Your tears have set the captives free,
watered thirsty travelers.
Your tears have nourished dying souls,
and watered many gardens.
Your tears have brought conviction,
turning stony hearts into repentant souls.
Your tears have set one thousand to flight,
and dispelled irksome fears.
Your tears have turned the dry arid desert
into a beautiful oasis where many come,
from near and far, to rest,
before continuing their journey.
And your tears now fill a vast ocean
that teems with life,
because when you gave away yours,
it was so I could give you something better.
From a child they forbade you to cry,
because your tears make people feel-
something people don’t want to do anymore.
I designed you to feel…that’s why you weep,
because hard hearts are dry hearts,
who are all bitter and brittle.
“My daughter, my child,
I gave you a lamenting heart:
A fountain, a reservoir full of living water.
when you weep, my river of living waters flows,
through you…my vessel of honor.”
–EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
I ‘m back! I took some days off to rest after a family ordeal. All’s well that ends well I say 🙂 Where is my book?? That’s what I’d like to know 🙂 Seriously, the last stage seems the longest and the hardest of anything including the publishing of a book. So here is another preview of Salsa! the Taste of Life. This poem I edited out of the book and I hope you enjoy it. Smile and keep smiling because it makes your enemies nuts!
The Five W’s
Everyone has asked,
What are you?
What can you do for me?
Who are you?
Why are you that way?
Where did you come from?
When are you leaving?
Then you came along,
You didn’t assault me
With all manner of intrusive questions.
You said, “Eres mi hija. You are my daughter.”
That’s all I want from you,
Don’t matter who you are,
You’re one of mine now,
I love you…
Just the way you are.
I know where you came from,
A place of sorrow, torment and pain.
I know so
Because I too have been there before:
Familiar with peace of mind,
Also aware of what it is
To feel like you’re going insane.
I know who you are,
You’re one of mine now;
Doesn’t matter who, what, when, where why or how.
Thank you for taking me in,
For not bothering me with the five W’s,
For being what I need,
For giving me what I crave:
A feeling of belonging.
Though I’ve buried many things in a grave,
You are heaven sent,
To help me heal, find and restore.
I’ll never ask you
For anything more,
‘cause what you do
Is a perfect gift
From heaven above.
Te amo! Te quiero! Te adoro!
Thank you, siempre, for your unconditional love.
-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
Some people will get along once you sit both of them down and help them see that their difference can help them if they want to. I have 2 amazing daughter who at times don’t get along because they both focus on their negative qualities too much. My daughters are as different as sand paper is to cotton. Years ago I saw this and I knew it would be their stumbling block. Today I sat them down and I explained that each could take from the other; my oldest daughter is verbal, strongly opinionated and out going. My 2nd daughter is quiet, reserved and shy. So I told the oldest one to learn to be a bit reserved and I told my second daughter to stop worrying so much about people’s opinions and be more out going. See, I believe we were all put in this life to learn from one another.
I once told a woman I wished I was more like her because she was always quiet. She looked at me in amazement and she said that she wished she were more like me; outgoing and confident. You never know how you affect a person. Since that day I quit trying to be something other than what God made me.
This poem, another one of my edits from my new book soon to be released, Salsa! The Taste of Life, is a brief observation on love. I hope you appreciate it and I look forward to your feed back.
Amor
True love is when it’s not about you.
True love knows how to bow out gracefully.
True love is me, reassuring the well-being of both our souls.
True love is knowing when to speak and when to be quiet.
True love is not pushy or antsy,
True love doesn’t care about fancy.
-Eva Santiago Copyright 2012
Eva Santiago 