tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116049822555596072024-02-18T19:08:07.802-08:00Of Fiery Places and Sacred Spacesabout poetry, life and the poetics of life
by Amy SerranoAmy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-52629608219657463832010-10-10T17:42:00.000-07:002010-10-13T08:34:52.339-07:00REFLECTION: "Carolina in my Mind"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5go8WK3UEI_7X73M68OGdL5VpfBKFbFdUHi21J4akP3M6qT2BACOev-2lu5HO4DHuOYriDJuwsRnLcG7qhj2p1nXMKd1FvKphEycrmo5DLCtUYmMHDVNFaBR1aPgy10KkbRlIE2Q5uFs/s1600/DSCF0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5go8WK3UEI_7X73M68OGdL5VpfBKFbFdUHi21J4akP3M6qT2BACOev-2lu5HO4DHuOYriDJuwsRnLcG7qhj2p1nXMKd1FvKphEycrmo5DLCtUYmMHDVNFaBR1aPgy10KkbRlIE2Q5uFs/s320/DSCF0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d;">The best poetry and artwork is found on what's naturally and effortlessly painted by Mother Earth. In co-creation, here is how I experienced a recent sojourn at my friend's beautiful home in the South Carolina woods. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Oftentimes amidst the speed of city life, and during moments where a place of peace is yearned for, I think of my time and visits there. I think of the naps taken on lazy outdoor garden benches, and of quiet walks in the woods. As I merge into the green and secrets reveal themselves to me, I re-enter the sonic world renewed, refreshed, and reinspired.</span> <span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://animoto.com/play/LrS0cAAhWkCQfGh6Df2WlQ?autostart=true#"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Click Here to see what I saw there</strong></span></a>. <em><span style="color: #351c75;">Enjoy!</span></em>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-1574098066764381782010-09-04T17:40:00.000-07:002010-09-06T13:12:35.102-07:00OBSERVATION: Spanish Love Songs: Found in Translation?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVOyz6eqshkb-1uJrvPlZcxs22HaqhlV0NRdTVhCjvOy4a-rwg7GSoC0J53sl-r9jtYp3VzPwJnvUd2I9qWyP3KbSgSKv5Vm6anq1yihiR-8mBkLFBf3cAL4L_dHxOl-8bazv23RLMk8/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVOyz6eqshkb-1uJrvPlZcxs22HaqhlV0NRdTVhCjvOy4a-rwg7GSoC0J53sl-r9jtYp3VzPwJnvUd2I9qWyP3KbSgSKv5Vm6anq1yihiR-8mBkLFBf3cAL4L_dHxOl-8bazv23RLMk8/s320/photo1.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>What is there about the words to some Foreign Love Songs that despite a potential and legitimate command of a vocabulary, can also genuinely be understood by the innate language of one's heart?</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I've always said that I Think and I Dream in English, but that I Feel in Spanish. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Maybe this is one reason why some Spanish Love songs tend to speak to me, but if you listen with your own heart, without understanding the words, maybe they also speak to You. For these are not compositions whose spoken words you truly need understand. These are songs that invoke a certain sublime eloquence that touch you deep inside. And the velvety sound of the Spanish guitar, you can almost feel on your skin. Understanding the words only heightens the experience.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>On this sticky, late Summer night in New Orleans, I found an old compilation I made and brought from Miami, my hometown. On it, I rediscovered Venezuelan singer/ songwriter Ricardo Montaner. This one dreamy poem of a song is so very lush, romantic; and though some of the lines may be lost when translated [below], if you close your eyes to listen, indeed you may understand anyway. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>So here's to sultry nights of contemplation, and rediscovered love songs deeply felt.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDYPrns5qxM&feature=related">Click here</a> <span style="color: #38761d;">to listen and watch video of Song,</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDYPrns5qxM&feature=related">"Yo Puedo Hacer"</a> <span style="color: #38761d;">by Ricardo Montaner</span> </span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make Violets Bloom this morning at ten,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a glow worm remain alight until the train passes by</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and for September to become the eighth month from this day on</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make you not feel the cold of the icicles thawing from my soul,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make the provinces of your body surrender under my kisses,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and for a rainbow of black and white to delight you with surprise</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make your path become the same as mine,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">your sorrows become my sorrows,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and for the sky to come to your door </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make each day of yours, a century of mine,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and each dream of yours, a dream of mine,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and make you greet each sunrise with a sigh</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">from the silhouette of your body, build my shelter,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">from the balconies of your breasts, erect my cottage,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and in the winter, </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">from the wells within your rivers, quench my thirst </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make each day of yours, a century of mine,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and each dream of yours, a dream of mine,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and make you greet each sunrise with a sigh</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can make the violets blooom today at ten.</span></em>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-62674397846559411562010-08-20T16:01:00.000-07:002010-08-20T16:06:52.480-07:00"Of Shelter and Rain"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasLsSH3cknIANy65TEz7mZfZKjRcxrwwrlQ-GY_M0-wgLjIBMUWOFEct-nPFHOeGz8cLrhoobJRvVKo9sJrg5HLYH-mtWlwPelfZ9fH0LqkzRVP8vdmUIsYVJn7lu1KRw9-tt5jQAQrY/s1600/BohemianArmadilloRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasLsSH3cknIANy65TEz7mZfZKjRcxrwwrlQ-GY_M0-wgLjIBMUWOFEct-nPFHOeGz8cLrhoobJRvVKo9sJrg5HLYH-mtWlwPelfZ9fH0LqkzRVP8vdmUIsYVJn7lu1KRw9-tt5jQAQrY/s320/BohemianArmadilloRoom.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Outside,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>it rains very Hard</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>and Earthbound Water falls</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>upon a defiant Winter Garden.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Inside,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>it rains even Harder</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>but I sail adrift on the idea</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>of what Hard Rain falling</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>awakens in Me.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Descending drumbeat</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>elixir, that through Water, </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>striking and luminescent,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>unlocks the Portal possibility</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>to a Soul's desired Reflection.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>So under this long awaited flood,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>YOU finally appear….</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>and through bittersweet</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>shades of Twilight,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I venture beyond</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>grand fortress windows</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>and let YOU in.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Over heavenly wet Earth,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We finally move,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>and like raw Silk,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I breathlessly yield,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>to the thirst quenching</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Splendour, of this</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>one, final Surrender.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>The grand torrent Rain</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>suddenly stops, but</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>with waterproof Skin,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>drenched and filled</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>in the warm deepening</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Afterglow of YOU,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>it dawns on Me,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>that if only under the Spell</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>of this Rain induced Reverie,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Together,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We might be</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Shelter.</em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">New Orleans, 2007</span></strong>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-39796679889019067812010-08-14T12:17:00.000-07:002010-08-14T12:18:53.590-07:00"In Flight"<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the phoenix, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">from earthly </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">flames of consumption, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">fly undaunted</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">into welcoming sky</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF0rm2MWgL1VGQh2aoLatzgEs1BrOJQOeOoS7oAIKJnTwaZ6q5DmN5zCUteuWnQSFIZBPu5LBPwd5Ou1QIPf26b6TRYo5w9s5AOOVyhGhWBFmesH8m5d4LlDiNhcMJXeMM_TiZeKf5gY/s1600/pic037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF0rm2MWgL1VGQh2aoLatzgEs1BrOJQOeOoS7oAIKJnTwaZ6q5DmN5zCUteuWnQSFIZBPu5LBPwd5Ou1QIPf26b6TRYo5w9s5AOOVyhGhWBFmesH8m5d4LlDiNhcMJXeMM_TiZeKf5gY/s320/pic037.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I am </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the keeper </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of Mysteries, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the teller of Truths,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">flying while knowing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of scorching sun </span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Published 2004, La Rosa Blanca</span></strong></span></span><br />
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</div>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-58236210084266259362010-08-12T11:26:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:30:45.948-07:00"Ode to the Cantabric Sea"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5ULf1WnyCzVOV4FKN_HVJBN6zsoPhrjlC5wYf1I7xzhqWzR7jgd_KEcSpQKsRgrGBzDAT1M8X6BaXz2j7eJD52Al_zHabr6OOpnqV7HjQysZ_97zCePC8F9JyplEiIeV1GuiAcwpKyA/s1600/Apr13169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5ULf1WnyCzVOV4FKN_HVJBN6zsoPhrjlC5wYf1I7xzhqWzR7jgd_KEcSpQKsRgrGBzDAT1M8X6BaXz2j7eJD52Al_zHabr6OOpnqV7HjQysZ_97zCePC8F9JyplEiIeV1GuiAcwpKyA/s320/Apr13169.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>The Voice </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>of the World</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>speaks to Me,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>in wondrous places </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>by the Sea</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>Seductive distraction </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>of water’s lull,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>briefly resting </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>on sand clad shores,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>arriving in concert </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>with salted wind,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>echoing lyrics </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>already past.</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"></span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>The Seaglass Memories </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>of Poems, </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>yet to be written,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>of sacred places </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>by the Sea.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>Santander, Spain 2004</strong></span>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-40744130057457556952010-08-12T11:06:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:06:04.253-07:00"Flower"<span style="color: magenta;"><br />
<em></em></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHN4ZZsA7mU3xJAlueAS4UpoY6XWIR5Ik26lszGRt1Sk5XUDI3qaERUsCI6EtFxy0Vby1jc-4r3MLdX5qZojLNj9FeqJC6SOrLGYUGRBoE-sFui7jYQR1rGOePW1HDEtW8iNOGfX6Dk4/s1600/pic009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHN4ZZsA7mU3xJAlueAS4UpoY6XWIR5Ik26lszGRt1Sk5XUDI3qaERUsCI6EtFxy0Vby1jc-4r3MLdX5qZojLNj9FeqJC6SOrLGYUGRBoE-sFui7jYQR1rGOePW1HDEtW8iNOGfX6Dk4/s320/pic009.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: magenta;"><br />
<em></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">I am</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">A Warm Winter</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">In a Cool Summer,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">A Collection of Contradictions</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">In a Gallery of Answers,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">A Slow Moving Train</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">In a Fast Moving World</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">A Silent Flower</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">In a Garden of Laughter</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Published 2004, La Rosa Blanca</span></strong></div><em><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-58296058172338431332010-08-10T19:29:00.000-07:002010-08-14T12:20:52.271-07:00"Prayer"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRccS54n6iY9rnQh0UFqtwJb-9jHx0INX2RTOkIpZtunws-nrW9b24VBktoow8JLu6Wqm6U6qL3MADl0tUig_0HYpBkCLtBUySzYyqNVycz2IyxBnhz0elbj5Qy9PgEvyv2_vU1LxGhk/s1600/angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRccS54n6iY9rnQh0UFqtwJb-9jHx0INX2RTOkIpZtunws-nrW9b24VBktoow8JLu6Wqm6U6qL3MADl0tUig_0HYpBkCLtBUySzYyqNVycz2IyxBnhz0elbj5Qy9PgEvyv2_vU1LxGhk/s320/angel.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Mother Moon,</em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Fill me with Light of Inspiration</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Blessed Wisdom of Time and Spirit</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Father Sun,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Endow me with Strength and Courage</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Faithful Companions to Journeys of the Soul </em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Sister Star,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Guide me through Dark Nights of Contemplation</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Shatter Illusory Foundations and Build Me up again</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Brother Sky,</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Wash me with Renewing Drops of Morning Rain, then paint </em></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>a Rainbow to Remind Me of Love</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Published 2004, MiPo Gallery, the Water issue</strong></span>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-51317698462440058322010-08-06T20:25:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:16:39.961-07:00"Island"<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp26jA2Go-JbMgPTjS3g8LM5PeZfhO42yLMjRRi5Q51DCBLQkObolTav7RkPQXe7T6JlGlznXSPM9s3-lJAxLw8yizkMnL3dqQNFVeK7DUap8vtZHTL8POmHFA2hVhslXGnWOHJ52cNo/s1600/DSCF8637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp26jA2Go-JbMgPTjS3g8LM5PeZfhO42yLMjRRi5Q51DCBLQkObolTav7RkPQXe7T6JlGlznXSPM9s3-lJAxLw8yizkMnL3dqQNFVeK7DUap8vtZHTL8POmHFA2hVhslXGnWOHJ52cNo/s320/DSCF8637.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Beware Conquistador,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> who travels from afar,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> eyeing elusive island</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> with lust of acquisition.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> For elegant promises</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>yield no gold, nor</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>triumphant blood</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>of impending conquest.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> Irreverent mountains</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> profess scant welcome,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> for faithless intruders</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> of imperialistic gleam.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Watery words shatter</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> upon reefs of disillusion,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> for a Body, the pearl,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> of no man's Caribbean.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Defiant forests guard</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> alchemical secrets,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> archetypical monuments</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> of spiritual ancestry.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Resisting colonization</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> by trespassing foreigners,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> those pillaging plunderers</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> of transcendent soul.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Yet on deep shores</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> rests, the valiant vessel,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> in timeless pursuit</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> of elevation and meaning.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> Compelling skyward journeys</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> above ocean floor treasures,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> sailing in concert,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> around restorative sun.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> But beware Conquistador,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> who travels very far,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> see, possessive desires extinguish</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> dreams of Flight.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> For a spirited island,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> belongs to no one.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"> Not even to,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> the emancipating Sky. </em></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Published 2003, the LSR Review</strong></em></span></div>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-48155851257259637322010-08-06T20:01:00.000-07:002010-08-14T10:37:42.065-07:00"Louisiana Sunday Afternoon"<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFpnRRGoLzEsW9ikNLY4rJtk5Bzt6YtT2l4s7q63eq1Lb6b_XKnAKoMXH60-sCUYaR41DqTM8_9Ee20PnaC_g8yES2X6-vHCQRW8tF3dMheE8_oekO4fJdJyTdWP6D9ufsPd035S3Goc/s320/oak1.jpg" width="320" /></div><em><span style="color: #38761d;">Melancholic oak</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">welcomes the wind--</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">purple rippling surface </span></em><em><span style="color: #38761d;">barely</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">moves me,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">but a cold heat stifles.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">A bird’s sudden flight</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">signals a warning--</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">and smoldering clouds announce</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">it is far too late</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">A friendly smile tells me </span></em><em><span style="color: #38761d;">what I need to know—</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">that a hot Lousiana rain </span></em><em><span style="color: #38761d;">is about </span></em><em><span style="color: #38761d;">to break.</span></em><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13;">Carrollton Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 2004</span></strong>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-40774236986724917472010-08-06T19:43:00.000-07:002010-08-14T10:40:34.774-07:00"Of Childhood, Memory & the Florida Keys"<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixs7yYi3bF39OIV5rGHUVWlJeF-A43lj2FLUz1rei0ZkaJToUmgo2rJdMGSzlxbJujzSE_-CAr_ZjB62el788nT1KUvEe1ei-3jgnstAZtTFSuF7QQ0l1a6DBKsmJ3YD_n-dPmsNdet1M/s1600/keys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixs7yYi3bF39OIV5rGHUVWlJeF-A43lj2FLUz1rei0ZkaJToUmgo2rJdMGSzlxbJujzSE_-CAr_ZjB62el788nT1KUvEe1ei-3jgnstAZtTFSuF7QQ0l1a6DBKsmJ3YD_n-dPmsNdet1M/s200/keys.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> With the Wind,</span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she blew through the trees--</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Girl of wild hair and enchanted imagination,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">barehandedly catching grounded butterflies </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for release into the Sky.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the Earth,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she built a small home--</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A wooden enclave within a sheltering forest, </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">where raccoons partook of stories and tea,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and a choir of ladybugs kept Time.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the Ocean,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she believed in mystery--</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Discovered places beneath the surface</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">housing authentic essence of life, and</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sustaining secrets of Surrender.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the Moon,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she dreamt of a timeless Love--</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that would find her, and She him,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">in a dance with the soul of the world and </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">truth found among the Stars</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With her Birds,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she learned of life’s impermanence—</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How wings coveted broken, </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">scar spirits, enticing fragile hearts</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to seek comfort in Flight</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With her Books,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">she understood the rhythm of words--</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and She, unwitting sister of Daphne,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">found a voice for this silent world,</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and as a Woman, gave birth to its </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>laurel leafed Song.</em> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;">Published 2004, MiPo Gallery, the "Water" Issue</span></strong></div>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-511604982255559607.post-63163176711100833962010-08-03T19:50:00.000-07:002010-08-18T13:08:24.808-07:00INTRODUCTION: Why the name?<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgiussJyJUlr1sNTqKHoMLuCZG8QTI6h8Z1Ni9jlO_ctwtVNzrX4PZs2U8az0CecBmHp6pmagdoE63SMDhJs6qkbEGL0pWBFwedoI0a2QPEKtWBB_RNLgSLO1DTCENNfjUyknaHNmXws/s1600/poetrybook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgiussJyJUlr1sNTqKHoMLuCZG8QTI6h8Z1Ni9jlO_ctwtVNzrX4PZs2U8az0CecBmHp6pmagdoE63SMDhJs6qkbEGL0pWBFwedoI0a2QPEKtWBB_RNLgSLO1DTCENNfjUyknaHNmXws/s200/poetrybook.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<em><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been writing poems since I was 15, but the title of this web log, "<strong>Of Fiery Places and Sacred Spaces</strong>" refers to the name of a <strong>collection of poems</strong> I have written about life based on <strong>geography</strong>; the <strong>poetics of astonishing spaces</strong> without, and <strong>wondrous places</strong> within. </span></em></div><span style="color: #274e13;"></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Though our preconceived ideas about geography mentally take us to <strong>spaces of land,</strong> through poetry, we may also navigate places within the <strong>intricate and delicate cartography of the human body and mind.</strong> This collection of <strong>rhythmic words and ideas</strong> thereby represents a sort of <strong>tapestry based on location</strong>, sometimes sacred, but always inspiring, and <strong>body and mindscapes</strong>, always warm, and sometimes fiery. <strong>Through the medium of poetry, I explore physical and spiritual movement, and the outer and inner journeys of the body and mind.</strong></span></span></em></div><em></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In addition to poems written and those yet to come upon the Grace of the sporadically visiting Muse, I shall also endeavour to <strong>document impressions of life</strong>, lived and viewed <strong>through a poetically synaesthetic lens</strong>. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">waiting for Rain in New Orleans,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">amy </span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Amy Serranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02965272657998203811noreply@blogger.com2