Poem: When Peace Comes

Read this poem at the Peace Conference International Dinner Friday March 18, 2011

 

When Peace Comes

 

In the darkness, gloom reigns supreme

loyal subjects corruption, hatred, chaos

lurk during the night like insidious monsters

whose aspiration is to disrupt tranquility

leaving the human race chained together, enslaved in misery

 

a dire situation, a bleak reality

but all is not lost

 

the human race is living in anticipation of a dawn of a new day

conquering gloom’s darkness with brilliant light

rays of sunshine reveal serenity and peace

reaching every corner of the earth

war and hate mongers dissipate into oblivion

racial harmony blooms releasing its fragrant odor like gardenias in Springtime

optimism permeates the mind and unlocks the invisible bond of servitude

 

only then can humanity experience

real happiness, genuine joy, and lasting peace

 

Quick Review

Backstage Deli – Luxor, Las Vegas

If you are staying at the Luxor and you have not found the food court on the second floor, you might think that your dining experience is limited to Backstage Deli and Starbucks. That was my experience on my last Vegas trip. Since I was hungry and did not want to leave the hotel to look for food, I gave Backstage Deli a try. The turkey burger I ordered tasted as if they recently thawed it out and did not put any seasoning on the meat. The fries were a redeeming factor of the plate. On the other hand, the chicken salad sandwich I bought for my Nana was okay because it had good flavor. The only drawback was the meat’s texture. It suggested that it was processed or pressed meat instead of whole chunks.

The meal was pricey, costing close to $20. I wish I had explored the hotel better to find the food court. I could have ate Quiznos or Nathan’s instead.

The Look

The look in their eyes tells me what they are thinking

they want to ogle without my notice

they think that I am stupid and do not recognize the glint in sly hooded eyes

Years of living with big breasts, curvy hips, round bottom and thick thighs

some would say my petite stature is genetically blessed

since my mother grandmother and great-grandmother all had similar attributes

In the present moment, those traits transmitted from generation to generation

seem to be more of an annoyance than a benediction

I have seen the same expression over a million times before

even when I thought I was disguising my figure in oversized clothes

They see me walking with a purpose

and deliberately slow their own pace

hoping that I am impatient enough to hurry pass them

so they can take a leisurely look

and begin to fantasize what they would hope do to all of this

I quicken my own speed, not wanting to waste time

grown immune to unwanted attention

They are not the first to cast a wanton glimpse and they won't be the last

I grit my teeth and force myself to endure the ensuing leers and smirky grins

"Go ahead and pass, since you seem to be in a hurry"

Their saccharine sweet tone is supposed to put me at ease,

If I am to believe they are gentlemen interested in ladies going first

as if I don't know the real reason they want me to proceed ahead

They part like the red sea, eagerly anticipating

to peruse every aspect of my body

but the joke is on them

my long black sweater conceals my curvaceous figure

Haiku - Love Texting

His nimble fingers

Type sweet words during the night

Received in her dreams

 

Unreciprocated love

Each day seems like another eternity

Surprised I have survived

Exhausted from trying to maintain some semblance of calm

Internally, uncertainty has me bound and wound

He does not know how unyielding his grip

around my precious heart

 

unreciprocated love is sorrow

but there is no benefit in crying, so eyes remain dry

unreciprocated love is pain which has fatigued my spirit,

leaving me a shell of who I used to be

all the while, reminding myself that this shall pass,

but wanting to know when.