Mama Flora

Angel Almaraz

just for the moment the music pauses,

the wind shuffles and sways,

leaves rustle and fall,

stand still

be cleansed in the fresh air that swallows, and

the heat that swelters

be reborn in a world that knows no flaws,

and cares not for yours

allow the waves to crash over-but do not drown-

submerge yourself in the life you are seeing,

then,

come up for air anew

lead your life, taught new lessons from what has

only forgiven,

only seeking for how your words can be as cool

droplets breaking the sky of a drought;

your thoughts being the soft chimes in the

distance, heard by all those attuned

your love as soft grass of fine bristles,

kissing bare legs as they pass

letting in the light of the sun, and relishing in the

shine of the moon

marveling the twinkle of the stars and counting

the clouds

so when the noise of life resumes, you hear a new

song of birds

smell a new grove of flowers

drink in a newfound aroma

so when the bustle continues, there is no fear in loneliness-

for, how are you to be alone amongst a

hundred of heartbeats?-

only appreciation

only the appreciation of the static of silence

only the appreciation of a clear night

only the appreciation of a stranger’s hum

only the appreciation of a waking sun

only an appreciation of you

so just for the moment the world stops spinning,

the voices shake and break you,

skin rips and tears,

stand still

be cleansed in the fresh air that swallows, and the

heat that swelters

be reborn in a world that knows no flaws,

and cares not for yours

let your anguish leave, not forgotten,

but resolved

let your breath become smooth

let your heart rate settle

let your hands rest

let your thoughts spill unchecked,

and let your soul free

for a love like yours should know no bounds,

know not of errors nor sins,

lack care for those who’ve wronged or hurt

and let the air rinse you free of pain,

let the twigs and rocks scrape away

the numbing of the world

let Her find your way

and forge your path

For

She has lived before your father,

and your father’s father

outlived your every great and greater

for She

knows all, has seen all

loves even those who pay to see Her fall

‘tis enough to love Her, more, to heal

so pay Her in full,

regain Her investment

and lay on your children,

and your children’s children,

each of the wonders

She so kindly provides

and may Her name not be lost

in the traffic or smoke

may Her work be shone

in the colors

of the faces

of Her children,

in the arches

in their noses,

and the budding

of their creations