Poem: Your roots
Author: Banio Carpenter

reflexions swept past your brow
as they sampled what is to come
you may ask what follows now
revelry, dancing, and fun?

grant me time and I shall paint you a picture
nestled in damp earth a seed finds
its hard shell cracks but does not splinter
for a journey has begun along uncharted lines

shoots twist their way from their shady bower
upward, sun-ward eager to shower

in an unknown environment
of unknown temperament
not knowing what is imminent

yet climb it does
and with bubbling glee
youth has no why, just because
poked out of the peat it’s drenched in pee
a passing fawn emptied its bladder as filled as it was
later that day crushed by one knee
a woodland jogger whose laces got free
despite brash treatment leaves do form
roots get stronger and bark becomes norm

branches fork, trunk strengthens, sapling no more
spring wood rubs late wood and rings get worn
then one spring, buds blossom into bright white flowers
buzzing pilots visit and depart with pollen on their collars
petals plummet and lady bud is a lone miss
but with time and drizzle she begins to blush
it’s then that we all take notice
looking up, climbing up, eating up in a rush
before jumping ship becomes her operandi modus
her flesh is craved by us all
thoughtless we toss her heart
sowing magic regardless of where it fall
nudged in soil like parent a new start

our couple plants these seeds
the trailhead of a new path together
in the future this wrinkled pair weeds
scolding grandchildren that listen they better
this cherry tree with it’s branches, leaves, and fruits
is the physical representation our history
and as long as it stands you will find our love in its roots

 

Translation of the Poem read by Ceci

Poem: My Way
Author: Mario Benedetti
From the book: Witness The Selected Poems of Mario Benedetti

Translated by Louis B. Popkin

Hope so gentle
so polished so sad
a vow so lightly taken
is not my way

hope so docile
is not my way

rage so meek
so humble so weak
anger so discreet
is not my way

so much sensible rage
is not my way

a scream so precise
when the weather is nice
a howl so genteel
is not my way

so much well-behaved thunder
is not my way

bravery so mild
courage so half-hearted
rashness so sluggish
is not my way

daring so tepid
is not my way

my way is life
lived fully ’til death
a heart on alert
that is may way

trust gaining ground
is my way

my way is your gaze
so giving yet firm
your silence so guileless
is may way

your exemplary life
is may way

my way is your future
your present freely changing
your struggle unabating
is my way

your undecorated battle
is my way

my way is the modest reach
of your possible pride
your unwavering hand
is my way

your way compañero
is my way.

 

Song that Larry sang

Title: Give Yourself to Love
Words and Music: Kate Wolf

Capo: 5

Verse 1

Kind friends all gathered round, there’s something I would say
What brings us together here has blessed us all today
Love has made a circle that holds us all inside
Strangers are as family and loneliness can’t hide

Chorus

You must give yourself to love, if love is what your after
Open up your heart to the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love….

Entrégate al amor, si amar es lo que quieres
Abre tu corazón al llanto y a la risa
Entrégate al amor, Entrégate al amor

Verse 2

I’ve walked these mountains in the rain, I’ve learned to love the wind
I’ve been up before the sunrise to watch the day begin
And I always knew I’d find you, though I never did know how
Like sunshine on cloudy day you stand before me now

Verse 3

Love is born in fire and planted like a seed
Love can’t give you everything, but it will give you what you need
Love comes when you are ready, love comes when you are afraid
It will be your best teacher, the best friend you have ever made