Art and Poetry
by Rebecca Morales
Art
Buzzy's Love Nest
Meet Buzzard
Poetry
Heavy Burdens
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Make me a lighthouse
For souls in distress
A beacon beckoning those with heavy burdens
During stormy nights
Keep me rock solid
As waves of chaos crash around us
Let light guide the weary through rough waters
To a safe harbor
Remind us that even this tumult will pass
The churning ocean will recede
Washing away pain
Leaving peace and calm
In its wake
Thanksgiving
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I look to the East and see what has past
The pain and pleasure
The lessons learned
The foundation
I look to the North and see the guidepost
The North Star
The compass that steers my course
I look to the South and see the unexpected
The different
The other that alters my life
I look to the West and see what is to come
A vast, rich tapestry
Of all that was, is and will be
And my heart gives thanks
New Year
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Whack! Whack! Whack!
A heavy wooden mallet pulverizes hot, sticky rice
Piled onto a massive stone.
Rice and water spray in all directions
Little white rockets that turn into glue.
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A hand furiously shapes the rice while trying not to be hit.
The dance between pounder and shaper intensifies
Until the rice develops into a smooth, round, gelatinous ball
That holds the fears, transgressions, and failures of the past year.
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The transformed rice ball sits upon a shrine to harden
Becoming a mirror to reflect on yesterday’s what ifs
What could I have done better?
How could I have been more appreciative?
Who have I offended?
The list continues until exhausted.
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Then, at just the right time,
The mirror is broken, smashed open with a wooden hammer
Releasing the past, like doves flying toward heaven
Bringing in the energy of the New Year
That fills renewed spirits with hope
And the promise of good luck, health and prosperity.
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Happy New Year!
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The Pulse of Life
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At the break of day
A silent peace
Wraps my body
Stillness calms my mind
I feel the pulse of life
With closed eyes, I breathe in
My heart beats softly
It speaks to me
Unshackle the restraints
A heart unopened is a heart unloved
Bathed in iris, azure, and emerald
Dark shells break away
Old hurts that had solidified into behaviors and
Settle in my muscles
Soften
I breathe again
My heart pounds with more resolve
Let it go
A heart unloved is incapable of loving
A warm flood courses through my sinews
My lungs expel long, deep breaths
Releasing all that is tight
Fresh air fills my limbs
Washed in a white light
My heart’s rhythm asserts
Be grateful
A sharing heart is love
Your heartbeat is a gift
For every loss there is an upside
With every obstacle an opportunity to spread goodwill
Gentle yet strong heart of my life
Yours will be the last spark
The final contraction
The terminal expression of being
That I will feel
Before I return
To the abyss
My heart
Beat a journey
Of joyous harmony
