A Tanka
Why such a hurry
People move in a scurry
No time for hello
Passersby in a flurry
Sitting I watch and worry
Such a Hurry is written in response to Sadje’s prompt.
Image credit: Антон Воробьев @ Unsplash
As always, thank you for reading! 
beautiful to see
love, warmth, kindness, protection
only moms possess
keeping offspring safe, happy
indeed, the eyes tell it all
Near and Dear to My Heart is in response to Sadje’s prompt.
Image credit: Leandra Rieger on Unsplash
In the shadow darkness hides, use your hearing to find your way
In the shadow what you hear is the true beat of your heart
In the shadow, heartbeats echo so rhythmically like you can reach out and touch
In the shadow, feeling the tactile beating heart, gratitude wells up in your throat
In the shadow, gratitude leads to the road of happiness
In the shadow of that happiness the face of envy is rising
In the shadow, envy is obliterated with humility, stay kind
The Green-Eyed Monster Hiding in the Dark is written in response to the W3 Weekly prompt.
Thank you for reading!
A Tanka
Cramped, I feel standing
In the subway car freezing
Can’t reach my pocket
Nose running; I need Kleenex
On lapel mucous escaped
Hope you enjoy Tissue: So Close but Out of Reach. Written in response to David’s W3 Prompt #141, Wea’ve Written Weekly prompt.
For anyone who has ever been on the subway and knows how tightly packed and crowded it is will understand. You can hardly move, nonetheless, reach into your pocket at the moment you need to the most. 
Thank you for reading!
Is it hard to wonder
why people shy away
weather like lightning and thunder
resembling romance and all its blunder
Being swept off your feet
Knowing love is there
Dreams to never give into defeat
To commit is something concrete
When you know it is so fun
Romance is beautiful and serene
Shining bright like the sun
Don't let overcast think it has won
Image by Shirley Mwanje from Pixabay
The Allure of Love was written in response to a word prompt by Sammi Cox. The challenge is to write a piece using the word commit in exactly 64 words.
Wraps you in warmth
Comfort takes over
Muscles relax as you settle in
Settle into the cover
Nose and ears are red
Hands stiff
Heat engulfs your body
Like a swaddle
Soothing the senses
Heat permeates the skin
Coming indoors from frigid temperatures
Aaahhh!
Thank you for reading! 
Image by Homeo Grapher from Pixabay
When you see your mate
Just the sight of them realizing your fate
Are you greeted with a warm embrace
Or indifference instead
You know, like a frown or look of dread
Just the simple things
You get home stressed from work
Walking in your mate is wearing a smile
A smile that lets you know that they miss you
They see you
They are glad you are home
They love you
Just the simple things
All that can be said without saying a single word
Its time for bed, your mate gives your hand a squeeze
Gives you a hug
Utters the words, good night Baby
Next up is the forehead kiss
Just the simple things
A forehead kiss...
Wait a minute
If you have not experienced a forehead kiss
When you do, you will understand
It’s one of the most endearing forms of affection
Just the simple things
Love who loves you back
Want who wants you back
If you are met with attitude
Take no gratitude in the latitude of someone else's wrath
The magnitude does not matter
Just the simple things
Thank you for reading! 
Heartbeat of la cucaracha is a short, funny poem. Hope you get a laugh or at least a smile.
Heartbeat of la cucaracha
Heartbeat; do you hear it
bump bump, bump bump
Yes its always there
Aware of it you admit
It moves around in the dark
Hoping that no one will see
The way they embark
Roaming around feeding for free
Heartbeat ebbs nice and slow
In the dark, you will never know
Heartbeat speeds up
When the light is aglow
Scatter and a scurry
Oh no, they can see me
Running from the light they hurry
Bump bump, bump bump
Hiding in the corner
La cucaracha thinks he has won
Only to be crushed by a scorner
Bump, bump, b u m p, b u m p
Heartbeat silenced, peace has now begun
Thank you for reading! 
Journeys begin in my head
Far away destinations
Some real some imagined instead
I pack my luggage no hesitation
I'm only going for 3 days
I need six pairs of shoes, 5 dresses
Shades and swimwear for the bays
No need to worry about my tresses
Sleepwear and slippers a must
What about my gym clothes
Oh yeah, pack those too
Glad my hair is braided, no need to fuss
Next journey will be lighter
No need for so many cases
Serene waters so much brighter
Sunglasses will help cover my bases
What's all the ruckus
I want to go where I don't need a car
Just hop on my bike and go
Cycle the scenic route 'til my heart is full
Nestling Journeys is written in response to Sadje's prompt.
Thank you for reading!
Image credit: Bernhard on Unsplash
The inspiration for this poem is my dear father, may he rest in peace.
Emptiness is creeping in
Knowing that missing piece is no longer there
Gone
Never to return
Until that day
Waiting to see
Waiting, waiting, just waiting
Time is passing
How can I fill the void
The void of the man who made me
Until that day
Still, I wait
When you look at me, what you don’t see
The depth
My soul
Aching
Begging for a glimpse of half of me
Nostalgic father
I am nostalgic
Until that day
The other half of me, where does it come from?
My slanted, crooked smile, my complexion
The Boricua in me, ¿dónde está Papi?
In heaven is where you be
Until that day, I wait
My mom instilled in me
Black, resilience, humility
Black, resilience, humility
She is the half of me
Empty inside? How can this be?
Nostalgic father
I am nostalgic
Two people came together as one
To create me
She is her and he is him
She is here and he is there
Forever encapsulated in my heart you will remain
Thoughts of you never bring feelings of disdain
Although my heart is heavy
Until that day, until that day
That we reunite
The anticipation, anticipation brings me pure delight
Until that day
Nostalgic father
Sharing a personal experience of speaking in front of a crowd. I challenged myself to perform an original poem about my father. Although, I was not one of the finalists for the talent show. it was a great experience. I learned that you could do anything you put your mind to. Even when you do not take home the prize it is still rewarding just for trying.
Hope you enjoy and thank you for watching.
Diverse and beautifully made with
Blemishes that confirm your true existence
Extravagance with your style of dress
Authenticity in the way you deliver grace
Unapologetic in your conviction for life
Thoughtful when expressing strong opinions
Intentional in your approach to love and kindness
Flawed only to those who do not understand you
Unique in your lens to the world
Lavishly, loving life and doing it all with a smile
Diverse and beautifully made, that's you, with all
These colorful qualities wrapped into one
Image credit: Tom Barrett on Unsplash
Diverse and Beautifully Made is written in response to the prompt by Sadje, What do you see #243
Luminous ones
Flying high above
Breath escaping lungs
Beautiful, beautiful belove
Spreading light into the dark
Shards of lightness lend a spark
To an otherwise blind sky
Your brightness leading the eye
Helping to make things clear
Letting the night lift the fear
Accompanying the moon, you are near
When the sun goes down, luminous ones appear
The night no longer scary
Look up and you discover
Concerns of danger are nary
No longer lurking, no room to hover
Luminous ones, luminous ones
So dear to me, flying so light and free
Teaching many to see the bright side
It’s always there, use your cre a ti vi ty
Luminous Ones is written in response to Sadje’s picture prompt.
Image credit: Leon Contreras on Unsplash
Concrete outer shell
So hard and cold
Full of cracks
From head to toe
Break through
Will quickly reveal
The hardness is hollow
Not as solid as it seems
Beneath the facade
Softer inner core
Unveiled and vulnerable
Out there for all to see
Hardness uncloaked
Softness appeared
With eyes closed
It's difficult to see
Widened pupils recognize
Duality unfolds
Revealing what's underneath
The crackling concrete stone
This writing is in response to the picture prompt by Sadje.
Is Sisterhood a thing of the past?
Judgements and criticism
Are the reasons I ask
Maybe it is due to stigmatism
Why not encourage and support
Things that can only uplift and empower
Let's form a coalition and abort
Foul behaviors of those who cower
At the thought of us celebrating each other
Knowing that love conquers all
Lifting sister’s up one after another
Silently they are hoping that we will brawl
Congratulate your sister, do not frown
Judge not your sister, hold your horses
Let us not divide with in-fighting, settle down
Already are we deemed unfit by outside sources
Incapable of being amicable to our kin
Women, sisters, confidant and friend
I ask again, is sisterhood a thing of the past?
Something so vital cannot come to an end
