East...and west, are we?
north, and south?.....maybe...
we were nurtured with love,
our eyes and our minds opened
to different isms that helped shape our
values...we were brought up, bearing our
folks' customs, traditions. principles...
we have different faiths...some practice...some
don't...some, don't even subscribe, yet, survive.

we have dry and monsoon season...in
other parts, pleasant weather, cold winds,
and in some parts, snow.....turning to ice

we are  a mix of white skin, seeking for a tan,
and brown-skin, hiding from the sun;
one's night, is the other's day,
there are surfers among us, playing with the waves,
there at the cusp...gambling...daring fate...
there are those who hide from silent freezing winters,
finding warmth and comfort in long hot summers...

countless points of comparison,  
yet, we've something beautiful in common,
a connection of feelings, of words...our poetry,
flowing like blood, through our veins...endlessly
feeding, fueling our hearts and minds, with classy,
themes....sometimes bold, mushy, or....sassy...
no set skeds...we do it even through adversity...

we write......

we tell about our escape from life's banalities,
mindscapes, landscapes immersed in frivolities

yet, we await the marvels of each  morning we wake,
remembering gratitude, in every breath we take...

years have passed us by,
still, plays this soft music that mollifies
and inspires......heard only by you and i
prodding us, through hours, of day or night

while you exist in your own part of the world,
as i, in my hot, humid cosmos, long for cold.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Sally


© Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan
    May, 19, 2019

The cold temperature keeps me wrapped,
and yet...purposes must not be forgot,
this time, chores keep arising, yet
prioritized plans have to come first.

A dark brownish pool in a deep pan, waits,
a mix of soy sauce and squeezed lemon,
generously sprinkled with ground pepper
invades the nostrils........soon,

Small slices of meat would be like
creatures drowning within...left a while,
to absorb color and flavor...a raw, fragrant
marinade wherein secrets are created.

A newly honed knife rules the scene, and
cruelly cuts potatoes, bell peppers and
carrots...it crushes and slices the garlic,
the onions, and the tomatoes....shortly,

The music begins: garlic, onions, tomatoes
make a noise of protest as they hit hot oil
in a hot steel ***...yet, hand carefully leads
the spoon while sautéing these aromatics.

Marinated meat is added, and it becomes
noisier...as meat's color changes, marinade
is poured over the meat; bay leaves, oregano,
and some cracked peppercorns are dropped;

Ahh...the aroma spreads  as the sauce boils,
time to pour in a cup of Italian tomato sauce;
a lovely sight when mixture starts to simmer!
while mixing the sauce, one becomes hungrier.

In fifteen minutes, carrots, potatoes, and bell
peppers would add color to the mixture,
some washed raisins for a sweeter taste.
what a fragrant blend of ingredients !

Finally,  small slices of pork or beef liver are
added...sauce bubbles as it boils...heat is
turned off, liver gets tougher when cooked longer;
finally, a gentle dash of oregano and chili flakes.

Voila! Menudo is done, with
pork barbecue fresh from
the grill......welcome
to a simple Christmas lunch!


sally b

© Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan
December 25, 2024