Well friends, April draws to a close and so does National Poetry Month. I went to a poetry event last Friday where I participated as a judge in a poetry contest for seniors at the Heritage Senior Park, here in Henderson. As a guest poet, I had the opportunity to read excerpts from my new book, Salsa! The Taste of Life. Other guest poets in attendance were, Jo Wilkins, Andres Fragoso Jr, and Toni Pacini. We picked the following poem as the winner . Lorraine Anderson is 85 years old, she has been writing poetry all of her life and this was her first time sharing her work with a group. Congratulations Lorraine!!!
The Changing Times
I think of days that have gone by when mother baked her bread.
Back in those days one didn’t buy, but made such things instead.
I could smell the rich aroma from the oven that was hot.
And I’ll not forget the homemade bread that Dad and I once got.
There was something in its flavor, in its added bit of zest.
That made you feel, beyond a doubt that homemade bread was best.
But times have changed, the women folk no longer seem to bake.
They buy from the stores that stock the things commercial bakers make.
The cakes and pies and other things no longer have the touch.
Of homemade things that man once said he liked so much.
Those good old days when homemade bread was wholesome, fresh and plain,
Will forever outlive those things today all wrapped in cellophane.
Yes, times have changed and in a way I think that it is best.
The woman who once baked her bread has now more time to rest.
She need not watch an oven with an ever watchful eye.
All this has passed and now belongs to days that have gone by.
But I, for one, remember and more than often said,
The better days were back in the days when men had homemade bread!
-Lorraine Anderson copyright 2013
I am including this poem, that came in the top 3 picks; I enjoyed it so much when I first read it because of its universal theme of how we evolve in our lives.
And The Mountain Moved
I am the little child full of love and laughter and family
And the mountain was huge and scary and far away
I am the teenager scared and scarred
And the mountain is still huge and far away
I am the young adult with stars in my eyes, love in my life,marriage and children.
And the mountain seems remote and far away from my life.
I am the middle aged woman who worked all of her married life, her children are gone, and it’s time to find out who she is.
And the mountain appears closer.
I am the wise old woman who knows who she is and where she belongs and what her legacy is.
And the mountain is within me.
-Helene Moore copyright 2013
Eva Santiago 