South Carolina summers were hot,
They were long and dry,
And for Mama, they were lonley.

Mama lived at the very end of our street.
She lived alone,
No chil'ren and no Husban'

She spent her days makin' sweet tea
And leomonaide, and pound cake.
She'd sit on her ol' rockin' chair,
And she'd whistle.

Mama was the best whistler in town,
All the kids in the neighboorhood came by
To hear her whistle.

She'd watch over us,
Scold those in need of scoldin'
She'd tell us not to climb the big oak tree
But we still did.

I didn't know it then,
But those long summers
Were the best I ever had.

The ice in my glass of sweet tea
Shone like diamonds.
And Mama's song,
Still plays in my head.

South Carolina summer were hot,
And they were too short.

.....
the wonder of that starry night was paled
by you.....as you stood at the veranda,
waiting........to board the car...
a smile on your face shone shyly
your dark blue sequined dress
glittered with your every move
you were ready for your prom night...
we took pictures of you, from many angles
and from those various points, i saw
how lovely you have grown to be...
your determination to go, despite the odds
..made you a hard stone...
i have seen, i heard you play your guitar...
it almost made me mad, when you let meals wait,
i felt your stress when you prepared for a debate
i have realized...i have recognized
your many talents and capabilities...they are
your facets, like those of a precious gemstone
your whole being emits a kind of luster, i know,
would brighten even more....with time...
in my eyes, that night, you were...and will always be
...a  sparkling diamond.



Sally


Copyright April 2017
Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan

why look upon the stars
when your eyes hold the same light?
i sail along glistening seas
until i'm lost, out of sight
look for the seventh wonder
through the day and through the night

years pass; i grow weak.

why listen to the sea
when i can hear you speak?
without warning, waves grow violent
shattering me, a deafening shriek

why try to brave the storm
when my heart's been tossed asunder?
it was only when you gazed at her
that i found the seventh wonder.

You see
the problem is
i'm drowning
in my
ideal of you.

Do it to african musk.
Roll it like finely carved dust.
Hold it like dynamite just.
When angels fall, damage must.
Together bind it with trust.
Yet time goes on without rust.

Peering through crimson curtains,
Into the life of someone new.
Peeling away their layers,
Until all becomes black, just like you.