Señor, deja que diga la gloria de tu raza,
la gloria de los hombres de bronce, cuya maza
melló de tantos yelmos y escudos la osadía:
!oh caballeros tigres!, oh caballeros leones!,
!oh! caballeros águilas!, os traigo mis canciones;
!oh enorme raza muerta!, te traigo mi elegía.Aquella tarde, en el Poniente augusto,
el crepúsculo audaz era en una pira
como de algún atrida o de algún justo;
llamarada de luz o de mentira
que incendiaba el espacio, y parecía
que el sol al estrellar sobre la cumbre
su mole vibradora de centellas,
se trocaba en mil átomos de lumbre,
y esos átomos eran las estrellas.Yo estaba solo en la quietud divina
del Valle. ¿Solo? ¡No! La estatua fiera
del héroe Cuauhtémoc, la que culmina
disparando su dardo a la pradera,
bajo del palio de pompa vespertina
era mi hermana y mi custodio era.Cuando vino la noche misteriosa
-jardín azul de margaritas de oro-
y calló todo ser y toda cosa,
cuatro sombras llegaron a mí en coro;
cuando vino la noche misteriosa
-jardín azul de margaritas de oro-.Llevaban una túnica espledente,
y eran tan luminosamente bellas
sus carnes, y tan fúlgida su frente,
que prolongaban para mí el Poniente
y eclipsaban la luz de las estrellas.Eran cuatro fantasmas, todos hechos
de firmeza, y los cuatro eran colosos
y fingían estatuas, y sus pechos
radiaban como bronces luminosos.Y los cuatro entonaron almo coro...
Callaba todo ser y toda cosa;
y arriba era la noche misteriosa
jardín azul de margaritas de oro.Ante aquella visión que asusta y pasma,
yo, como Hamlet, mi doliente hermano,
tuve valor e interrogué al fantasma;
mas mi espada temblaba entre mi mano.-¿Quién sois vosotros, exclamé, que en presto
giro bajáis al Valle mexicano?
Tuve valor para decirles esto;
mas mi espada temblaba entre mi mano.-¿Qué abismo os engendró? ¿De qué funesto
limbo surgís? ¿Sois seres, humo vano?
Tuve valor para decirles esto;
mas mi espada temblaba entre mi mano.-Responded, continué. Miradme enhiesto
y altivo y burlador ante el arcano.
Tuve valor para decirles esto;
¡mas mi espada temblaba entre mi mano...!Y un espectro de aquéllos, con asombros
vi que vino hacia mí, lento y sin ira,
y llevaba una piel sobre los hombros
y en las pálidas manos una lira;
y me dijo con voces resonantes
y en una lengua rítmica que entonces
comprendí: -«¿Que quiénes somos? Los gigantes
de una raza magnífica de bronces.»Yo me llamé Netzahualcóyotl y era
rey de Texcoco; tras de lid artera,
fui despojado de mi reino un día,
y en las selvas erré como alimaña,
y el barranco y la cueva y la montaña
me enseñaron su augusta poesía.»Torné después a mi sitial de plumas,
y fui sabio y fui bueno; entre las brumas
del paganismo adiviné al Dios Santo;
le erigí una pirámide, y en ella,
siempre al fulgor de la primera estrella
y al son del huéhuetl, le elevé mi canto.»Y otro espectro acercóse; en su derecha
levaba una macana, y una fina
saeta en su carcaje, de ónix hecha;
coronaban su testa plumas bellas,
y me dijo: -«Yo soy Ilhuicamina,
sagitario del éter, y mi flecha
traspasa el corazón de las estrellas.»Yo hice grande la raza de los lagos,
yo llevé la conquista y los estragos
a vastas tierras de la patria andina,
y al tornar de mis bélicas porfías
traje pieles de tigre, pedrerías
y oro en polvo... ¡Yo soy Ilhuicamina!»Y otro espectro me dijo: -«En nuestros cielos
las águilas y yo fuimos gemelos:
¡Soy Cuauhtémoc!  Luchando sin desmayo
caí... ¡porque Dios quiso que cayera!
Mas caí como águila altanera:
viendo al sol, y apedreada por el rayo.»El español martirizó mi planta
sin lograr arrancar de mi garganta
ni un grito, y cuando el rey mi compañero
temblaba entre las llamas del brasero:
-¿Estoy yo, por ventura, en un deleite?,
le dije, y continué, sañudo y fiero,
mirando hervir mis pies en el aceite...»Y el fantasma postrer llegó a mi lado:
no venía del fondo del pasado
como los otros; mas del bronce mismo
era su pecho, y en sus negros ojos
fulguraba, en vez de ímpetus y arrojos,
la tranquila frialdad del heroísmo.Y parecióme que aquel hombre era
sereno como el cielo en primavera
y glacial como cima que acoraza
la nieve, y que su sino fue, en la Historia,
tender puentes de bronce entre la gloria
de la raza de ayer y nuestra raza.Miróme con su límpida mirada,
y yo le vi sin preguntarle nada.
Todo estaba en su enorme frente escrito:
la hermosa obstinación de los castores,
la paciencia divina de las flores
y la heroica dureza del granito...¡Eras tú, mi Señor; tú que soñando
estás en el panteón de San Fernando
bajo el dórico abrigo en que reposas;
eras tú, que en tu sueño peregrino,
ves marchar a la Patria en su camino
rimando risas y regando rosas!Eras tú, y a tus pies cayendo al verte:
-Padre, te murmuré, quiero ser fuerte:
dame tu fe, tu obstinación extraña;
quiero ser como tú, firme y sereno;
quiero ser como tú, paciente y bueno;
quiero ser como tú, nieve y montaña.
Soy una chispa; ¡enséñame a ser lumbre!
Soy un gujarro; ¡enséñame a ser cumbre!
Soy una linfa: ¡enséñame a ser río!
Soy un harapo: ¡enséñame a ser gala!
Soy una pluma: ¡enséñame a ser ala,
y que Dios te bendiga, padre mío!.Y hablaron tus labios, tus labios benditos,
y así respondieron a todos mis gritos,
a todas mis ansias: -«No hay nada pequeño,
ni el mar ni el guijarro, ni el sol ni la rosa,
con tal de que el sueño, visión misteriosa,
le preste sus nimbos, ¡y tu eres el sueño!»Amar, ¡eso es todo!; querer, ¡todo es eso!
Los mundos brotaron el eco de un beso,
y un beso es el astro, y un beso es el rayo,
y un beso la tarde, y un beso la aurora,
y un beso los trinos del ave canora
que glosa las fiestas divinas de Mayo.»Yo quise a la Patria por débil y mustia,
la Patria me quiso con toda su angustia,
y entonces nos dimos los dos un gran beso;
los besos de amores son siempre fecundos;
un beso de amores ha creado los mundos;
amar... ¡eso es todo!; querer... ¡todo es eso!»Así me dijeron tus labios benditos,
así respondieron a todos mis gritos,
a todas mis ansias y eternos anhelos.
Después, los fantasmas volaron en coro,
y arriba los astros -poetas de oro-
pulsaban la lira de azur de los cielos.Mas al irte, Señor, hacia el ribazo
donde moran las sombras, un gran lazo
dejabas, que te unía con los tuyos,
un lazo entre la tierra y el arcano,
y ese lazo era otro indio: Altamirano;
bronce también, mas bronce con arrullos.Nos le diste en herencia, y luego, Juárez,
te arropaste en las noches tutelares
con tus amigos pálidos; entonces,
comprendiendo lo eterno de tu ausencia,
repitieron mi labio y mi conciencia:
-Señor, alma de luz, cuerpo de bronce.
Soy una chispa; ¡enséñame a ser lumbre!
Soy un gujarro; ¡enséñame a ser cumbre!
Soy una linfa: ¡enséñame a ser río!
Soy un harapo: ¡enséñame a ser gala!
Soy una pluma: ¡enséñame a ser ala,
y que Dios te bendiga, padre mío!.Tú escuchaste mi grito, sonreíste
y en la sombra infinita te perdiste
cantando con los otros almo coro.
Callaba todo ser y toda cosa;
y arriba era la noche misteriosa
jardín azul de margaritas de oro...

AN INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN ART IN VERSE  
By Raj Nandy : Part One

INTRODUCTION
Background :
The India subcontinent and her diverse physical features,
influenced her dynamic history, religion, and culture!
The fertile basin of the Sapta-Sindu Rivers* cradled one of
world’s most ancient civilization, (seven rivers)
Contemporary to the Sumerians and the Egyptians, popularly
known as the Indus Valley Civilization!
The Sindu (Indus), Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Bias, along
with the sacred river Saraswati, shaped India’s early History;
Where once flourished the urban settlements of Harappa and
Mohenjodaro, which lay buried for several centuries;
For our archaeologists and scholars to unravel their many
secrets and hidden mysteries!
Modern scholars refer to it as ‘Indus-Saraswati Civilization’;
By interpreting the text of the Rig Veda which mentions
eclipses, equinoxes, and other astronomical conjunctions,
They date the origin of the Vedas as earlier as 3000 BC;
Thereby lifting the fog which shrouds Ancient History! +
(+ Two broad schools of thoughts prevail; Max Mullar refers
to 1500 BC as the date for origin of the Vedas, but modern scientific findings point to a much earlier date for their Oral composition and
their long oral tradition!)

On the banks of the sacred Saraswati River the holy sages
did once meditate, *
When their third eye opened, as all earthly bonds they did
transcend !
From their lips flowed the sacred chants of the Vedas, as
they sang the creator Brahma’s unending praise!
These Vedic chants and incantations survived many
centuries of an oral tradition,
When Indian Art began to blossom into exotic flowers like
Brahma’s divine manifestations;
With all subsequent art forms following the model of
Brahma’s manifold creations!
The Vedas got written down during the later Vedic Age
with commentaries and interpolations,
And remain as India’s indigenous composition, forming a
part of her sacred religious tradition! *
(Rig Veda the oldest, had hymns in praise of the creator;
Yajur Veda spelled the ritual procedures; Sama Veda sets
the hymns for melodious chanting, & is the source of seven
notes of music; Artha Veda had hymns for warding off evil
& hardship, giving us a glimpse of early Vedic life.)

IMPACT OF FOREIGN INVASIONS:
Through the winding Khyber Pass cutting through the rugged
Hindu Kush Range,
Came the Persians, Greeks, Muslims, the Moguls, and many
bounty hunters storming through north-western frontier gate;
Consisting of varied racial groups and cultures, they entered
India’s fertile alluvial plains!
Therefore, while tracing 5000 years of Art Story, one cannot
divorce Art from India’s exotic cultural history.
From the Cave Art of Bhimbetka, to the dancing girl of Harappa,
To the frescoes and the evocative figures of Ajanta and Ellora;
Many marvelous and exquisitely carved temples of the South,
And Muslim and Mogul architecture and frescoes along with
India’s rich Folk Art, enriched her artistic heritage no doubt!
Yet for a long time Indian Art had been the least known of
the Oriental Arts,
Perhaps because from Western point of view it was difficult
to understand the spirit behind Indian Art!
For Indian Art is at once aesthetic and sensual, also passionate,
symbolic, and spiritual !
It both celebrates and denies the individual’s love of life,
where free instinct with rigid reason combine !
These contradictory elements are found side by side due to
her culturally mixed conditions, as I had earlier mentioned!
Now, if we add to this the constant religious exaltation,
With the extensive use of symbolic presentation, from the
early days of Indian civilization;
We have the basic elements of an Art, which has gradually
aroused the interest of Western Civilization!

The further we get back in time, we only begin to find,
That religion, philosophy, art and architecture,
Had all merged into an unified whole to form India’s
composite culture!
But while moving forward in time, we once again find,
That art, architecture, music, poetry and dance, all begin to
gradually emerge, with their separate identities,
Where Indian Art is seen as a rich mosaic of cultural diversity!

(NOTES:-In the ancient days, the Saraswati River flowed from the Siwalik Range of Hills (foothills of the Himalayas) between Sutlej & the Yamuna rivers, through the present day Rann of Kutch into the Arabian Sea, when Rajasthan was a fertile place! Indus settlements like Kalibangan, Banawalli, Ganwaiwala, were situated on the banks of Sarsawati River, which was longer than the Indus & ran parallel, and is mentioned around50 times in the Rig Veda! Scientists say that due to tectonic plate movements, and climatic changes, Saraswati dried up around 1700BC ! The people settled there shifted east and the south, during the course of history! Some of those Indo-Aryan speaking people were already settled there, & others joined later. Max Muller’s theory of an Aryan Invasion which destroyed the Indus Valley Civilization during 1500BC, supported by Colonial Rulers, was subsequently proved wrong ! Indo-Aryans were a Language group of the Indo- European
Language Family, & not a racial group as mistaken by Max Mullar! Therefore Dr.Romila Thapar calls it a gradual migration, & not an invasion! The Vedas were indigenous composition of India. However, they got compiled & written down for the first time with commentaries, at a much later date! I have maintained this position since it has been proved by modern scholars scientifically!)

SYMBOLISM IN INDIAN ART
From the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic to the Cretan Bull
of Greece,
Symbols have conveyed ideas and messages, fulfilling
artistic needs.
The ‘Da Vinci Code’ speaks of Leonardo’s art works as
symbolic subterfuge with encrypted messages for a secret
society!
While Indian art is replete with many sacred symbols to
attract good fortune, for the benefit of the community!
The symbols of the Dot or ‘Bindu’, the Lotus, the Trident,
the Conch shell, the sign and chant of ‘OM’, are all sacred
and divine;
For at the root of Indian artistic symbolism lies the Indian
concept of Time!
The West tends to think of time as a dynamic process which
is forward moving and linear;
Commencing with the ‘Big Bang’, moving towards a ‘Big
Crunch’, when ‘there shall be no more time’, or a state of
total inertia !
Indian art and sculpture is influenced by the cyclic concept
of time unfolding a series of ages or ‘yugas’;
Where creation, destruction and recreation, becomes a
dynamic and an unending phenomena!
This has been artistically and symbolically expressed in the
figure of Shiva-Nataraja’s cosmic dance,
Which portrays the entire kinetic universe in a state of
eternal flux!
The hour-glass drum in Nataraja’s right hand symbolizes
all creation;
Fire in his left hand the cyclic time frame of destruction!
The raised third hand is in a gesture of infinite benediction;
And the fourth hand pointing to his upraised foot shows the
path of liberation!

It was easier to teach the vast untutored population through
symbols, images, and paintings in the form of Art;
For a picture is more effective than a thousand words!
The Dot or ‘bindu’ becomes the focus for meditation,
Where the mental energies are focused on a single point of
creation,
As seen in the cotemporary art works of SH Raza’s
artistic representations!
Yet the same dot when expanded as a circle becomes
wholeness and infinity;
The shape of celestial bodies of the cyclic universe in its
creativity!
The Lotus seen in many sculptures, on temple walls, and
majestic columns, denotes purity;
A symbol of non-attachment rising above the muddy waters,
retaining its pristine color and beauty!
The Lotus is a powerful and transformational symbol in
Buddhist Art,
Where pink lotus is for height of enlightenment, blue for
wisdom, white for spiritual perfection, and the red lotus
symbolizing the heart!
This Lotus symbol also finds a place in Mughal sculptural
carvings and miniatures;
The inverted lotus dome resting on its petals, forms the
crown of Taj Mahal’s white marble architecture!
The trident or ‘trishul’ symbolizes the three god-heads
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva;
As the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer, in that cyclic
chain which goes on forever!
The ***** stone of Shiva-lingam surrounded by the oval
female yoni symbolizes fertility and creation,
Usually found in the inner sanctuary of Hindu temples!
Finally, the symbol of ‘OM’ and its vibrating sound,
Echoes the primordial vibrations with which space and
time abounds!
All matter comes from energy vibrations manifesting
cosmic creation;
Also symbolized in Einstein’s famous matter-energy equation!
The Conch Shell a gift of the sea when blown, sounds the
ancient primordial vibration of ‘OM’!
It’s hallowed auspicious sound accompanies marriage
ceremonies and rituals whenever occasion demands;
And pacifies mother earth during Shiva-Nataraja’s sudden
seismic dance! (earthquakes)
Dear readers the symbols mentioned here are very few,
Mainly to curb the length, while I pay Indian Art my
artistic due!

A BRIEF COMPARISON OF ART:
Despite the many foreign influences which entered India
through the Khyber and Bholan pass,
India displayed marvelous adaptability and resilience, in
the development of her indigenous Art!
The aesthetic objectivity of Western Art was replaced by
the Indian vision of spiritual subjectivity,
For the transitory world around was only a ‘Maya’ or an
Illusion,- lacking material reality!
Therefore life-like representation was not always the aim
of Indian art,
But to lift that veil and reveal the life of the spirit, - was
the objective from the very start!
Egyptian funerary art was more occupied with after-life
and death;
While the Greeks portrayed youthful vigor and idealized
beauty, celebrating the joys of life instead!
The proud Roman Emperors to outshine their predecessors
erected even bigger statues, monuments, and columns
draped in glory;
Only in the long run to drain the Roman treasury, - a sad
downfall story!
Indian art gradually evolved over centuries with elements
both religious and secular,
As seen from the period of King Chandragupta Maurya,
Who defeated the Greek Seleucus, to carve out the first
united Indian Empire ! (app. 322 BC)

SECULAR AND SPIRITUAL FUSION IN ART:
Ancient Indian ‘stupas’ and temples were not like churches
or synagogues purely spiritual and religious,
But were cultural centers depicting secular images which
were also non-religious!
The Buddhist ‘stupa’ at Amravati (1stcentury BC), and the
gateways at Sanchi (1stcentury AD), display wealth of carvings
from the life of Buddha;
Also warriors on horseback, royal procession, trader’s caravans,
farmers with produce, - all secular by far!
Indian temples from the 8th Century AD onwards depicted
images of musicians, dancers, acrobats and romantic couples,
along with a variety of Deities;
But after 10th Century ****** themes began to make their mark
with depiction of sensuality!
Sensuality and ****** interaction in temples of Khajuraho and
Konarak has been displayed without inhibition;
As Tantric ideas on compatibility of human sexuality with
human spirituality, fused into artistic depictions!
Religion got based on a healthy and egalitarian acceptance
of all activities without ****** starvation;
For the emotional health and well-being of society, without
hypocritical denial or inhibition!
(’Stupas’= originated from ancient burial mounds, later became devotional Buddhist sites with holy relics, & external decorative gateways and carvings!)

KHJURAHO TEMPLE COMPLEX (950 - 1040 AD) :
Was built by the Chandela Rajputs in Central India,
When Khajuraho, the land of the moon gods, was the first
capital city of the Chandelas!
****** art covers ten percent of the temple sculptures,
Where both Hindu and Jain temples were built in the north-Indian
Nagara style of Architecture.
Out of the 85 temples only 22 have stood the vagaries of time,
Where a perfect fusion of aesthetic elegance and evocative
Kama-Sutra like ****** sculptural brilliance, - dazzle the eyes!

KONARAK SUN TEMPLE OF ORISSA - EAST COAST:
From the Khajuraho temple of love, we now move to the
Konark temple of *** in stones - as art!
Built around 1250 AD in the form of a temple mounted on
a huge cosmic chariot for the Sun God;
With twelve pairs of stone-carved wheels pulled by seven
galloping horses, symbolizing the passage of time under
the Solar God !
Seven horses for each day of the week, pulls the chariot
east wards towards dawn;
With twelve pairs of wheels representing the twelve calendar
months, as each cyclic day ushers in a new morn !
The friezes above and below the chariot wheels show military
processions, with elephants and hunting scenes;
Celebrating the victory of King Narasimhadeva-I over the
invading Muslims!
The ****** art and voluptuous carvings symbolizes aesthetic
bliss when uniting with the divine;
Following yogic postures and breathing techniques, which
Tantric Art alone defines!
(Both Khjuraho & Konark temples were re-discovered by the
British, & are now World Heritage Sites!)

Artistic invention followed the model of cosmic creation;
Ancient Vedic tradition visualized the spirit of a joyous
self-offering with chants and incantations!
The world was understood to be a structured arrangement
of five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ethereal space;
Where each element brought forth a distinct art-expression
with artistic grace!
Element of Sculpture was earth, Painting the fluidity of water,
Dance was transformative fire, Music flowed through the air,
and Poetry vibrated in ethereal space!

CONCLUDING INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN ART:

Indian Art is like a prism with many dazzling facets,
I have only introduced the subject with its symbolism,
- without covering its complete assets!
After my Part Three on ‘Etruscan and Roman Art’,
Christian and Byzantine Art was to follow;
But following request from my few poet friends I have
postponed it for the morrow!
Traditional Indian Art survives through its sculptures,
architecture, paintings and folk art, ever evolving with
the passing of time and age;
Influenced by Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Mogul, and many
indigenous art forms, enriching India’s cultural heritage!
While the art of our modern times constitutes a separate
Contemporary phase !
The juxtaposition of certain concepts and forms might
have appeared a bit intriguing,
But the spiritual content and symbolism in art answers
our basic artistic seeking!
The other aspects of Indian Art I plan to cover at a later
date,
Hope you liked my Introduction, being posted after
almost forty days!
ALL COPY RIGHTS ARE WITH RAJ NANDY
E-Mail: rajnandy21@yahoo.
    FEW COMMENTS BY POETS ON 'POETFREAK.COM' :-
I have a vicarious pleasure going through your historical journey of Indian art! Thanks for sharing this here! 2 Mar 2013 by Ramesh T A | Reply
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The prism of Indian Art is indeed has myriads of facets and is an awesome mixture of many influences some of which you list here so clearly - a very understandable presentation of symbolism too - -thank you for your fine effort Raj. 2 Mar 2013 by Fay Slimm | Reply
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Oh what an interesting read with immense information capturing every single detail. You painted this piece of art with utmost care. Truly, it's works Raj…tfs 2 Mar 2013 by John Thomas Tharayil | Reply
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First, I have to say, the part about the lotus symbolism reminds me – My name ‘NILOTPAL’ can be split into ‘NIL’ meaning BLUE and ‘UTPAL’ meaning LOTUS. So my name represents wisdom (although it contradicts ME.. LOL). A lot of things were mentioned in the veda and other ancient Indian texts that were way ahead of the time Like the idea of ‘velocity of light’ got considerable mention in the rig veda-Sahan bhasya, ‘Elliptical order of planets, ‘Black holes’ , although these are the scientific aspects. The emphasis on contradictory elements or even the idea of opposites in Indian art is interesting because India developed the mathematical concept of ‘Zero’ and ‘infinity’. Hard to believe Rajasthan was a fertile place but now it possesses its own beauty. It was great to read about the Natraja, ‘OM’ and the trident(Trishul). Among symbolisms, Lord Ganseha is my favorite because a lot is portrayed in that one image like the MOOSHIK representing

Mi raza (my race)
Judge by a nation by my skin and roots but not by my capabilities.
Judged as a common criminal
But never as a helping hand.
Judged as a poor man for wearing the same clothes every day when I go to work.
Judged as a man that will only drop out of school and depend on welfare.
But the thing they don't know.
I was raised by a mother that had to put both pants to get by.
Become an older brother and a father to my own brothers to give them that love.
That I graduated high school in one of the best schools in the country.
That I'm going to college to become a teacher to educate and inspire that it don't matter what's your race or skin all it matters is your beliefs your dreams and your urge to succeed. I may be Brown and proud. But we're all one heart (solo un corazón) we all should love and bond not fight over who's the dominate race. Who has the bigger guns or the most beautiful woman. We are only one  (solo una raza)

Era su nombre Betsy y era de Ohio.
                                                       
Un día,
En que al azar vagaba por mi ruta sombría,
Los dos nos encontramos.  Y la quise por bella;
Después amé su alma, porque mi alma en ella
Vio una luz casta y blanca, vio piedad y ternura.

Jirón azul de cielo rompió mi noche oscura,
Y la luz de una estrella de fulgores risueños,
Hizo abrir la dormida floración de mis sueños.

¿Qué fuerza misteriosa la puso en mi camino?...
¿Fue una intuición secreta quizá de mi destino
La que a la senda suya llevó mi errante paso?
¿Fue casual ese encuentro?... ¿Fue presentido
acaso?
No lo sé... ni me importa.

                                                 
De raza puritana,
De aquella raza austera que a la costa britana,
Buscando hogar y patria, dijo adiós sin tristeza;
De los lagos del Norte rubia flor de belleza;
Los libros y la música su amada compañía,
Y esquiva a los arranques de ruidosa alegría;
Su flor dilecta, el lirio; mística en sus anhelos,
 -Palomas que sus alas tendían a los cielos;-
En contraste sus hábitos y su elación divina
Con todos los impulsos de mi raza latina;
De regiones distantes dos solitarias palmas,
¿Qué fuerza misteriosa juntó nuestras dos almas?
De su idioma, al principio, pocas frases sabía,
Mas mezclando palabras de su lengua y la mía,
Con versos que copiaba de antiguo Florilegio,
Y dísticos de Byron que aprendí en el Colegio,
Le dije muchas cosas... muchas, en el balneario
Donde por vez primera la vi.
                                              (Del solitario
Poeta fue la Musa desde entonces).

                                      Su gracia
Y atractiva belleza; su aire de aristocracia;
Su cabellera blonda, de un rubio veneciano,
Y su perfil de antiguo camafeo romano;
Sus ojos pensativos y de mirar risueño
Donde flotaba a veces el azul de un ensueño;
Sus mejillas rosadas como un durazno; el breve;
Esbelto busto, en donde tuvo vida la nieve;
Sus veinte años... ¡Qué hermosa primavera florida!
¡Todo en ella era un himno que cantaba la vida!
En bailes, en paseos, en la playa...  doquiera
De todos los galanes la preferida era.

Con su traje de lino, con su blanca sombrilla,
Con sus zapatos grises de reluciente hebilla,
Y el sombrero de paja con una cinta angosta,
Nunca se vio más bella mujer en esa costa.

Quiso aprender mi lengua: cambiábamos lecciones,
Y así fueron frecuentes nuestras conversaciones;
Hasta que al fin un día-mi alma de ella esclava,
-Le dije que era bella... muy bella y que la amaba.

Pasado ya el verano, adiós al mar dijimos,
Y en tren, expreso, todos a la ciudad volvimos.
Rodaban... y rodaban las hojas, desprendidas
En raudos torbellinos, por parques y avenidas;
Del ábrego se oían los resoplidos roncos,
Y entre brumas se alzaban casi escuetos  los troncos;
En las calles formaba la lluvia barrizales
Y eran soplos de invierno las brisas otoñales.
Rodaban... y rodaban las hojas. De ceniza
Parecía el crepúsculo con su niebla plomiza,
Y alzábase doliente la luna, en la gris y ancha
Lámina de los cielos, como amarilla mancha.

Con sombrero de plumas, sobretodo entallado,
Y traje azul oscuro, su rostro sonrosado
Era una nota viva y alegre, era un celaje
En la helada y sombría tristeza del paisaje.

«¡Qué triste es el otoño... qué triste!» me decía;
«Todo se está muriendo... todo está en la agonía,
Mas nuestro amor...»:

                                             
(De pronto cayó. Vivos sonrojos
La hicieron al instante bajar los castos ojos).
«También!» dije riendo, «cual todo lo que vuela».
Y reía... reía como alegre chicuela,
Porque su claro instinto de mujer le decía
Que la amaba y que nunca mi pasión moriría.

En bailes, en conciertos, en salones... doquiera

De todos los galanes la preferida era,
Y aunque su amor, a veces, riendo me negaba,
También reía, porque... sabía que me amaba.
Una tarde de invierno, cuando como un sudario
La nieve en albos copos, el parque solitario
Y las calles desiertas cubría; cuando el cielo
Era blanca mortaja; cuando espectros en duelo
Parecían los árboles quemados por el frío,
En un diván sentados, en el salón sombrío,
Junto a la chimenea que con su alegre y clara
Luz daba un vago tinte sonrosado a su cara,
Enjugando una lágrima silenciosa y furtiva,
«Me siento enferma y triste», me dijo pensativa.

Los aullidos del viento vibraban en la sombra...
Y se alejó. Y el roce de su traje en la alfombra
Me arrancó de mis sueños. Incliné la cabeza,
Y solo, y en silencio, quedé con mi tristeza.
Pasó el invierno.
                                     
El cielo fue todo resplandores;
El bosque, lira inmensa, y el campo, todo flores.
Y una tarde, su alcoba, después de muchos días,
Dejó por vez primera la enferma.
                                               
¡Oh, las sombrías
Noches en vela, noches de indecible martirio,
Noches interminables de fiebre y de delirio,
Cuando todos, henchidos de lágrimas los ojos,
Su vida amada al cielo pedíamos de hinojos,
Mientras que en el silencio de esa calma profunda
Se oía, delirando, su voz de moribunda!

Abierta la ventana que daba al parque, en ondas
De fragancia entró el aura susurrando.  Las frondas
De las viejas encinas sus más gratos rumores
Dieron en el crepúsculo.  Fue el triunfo de las flores
Sobre el verde sombrío de los boscajes.  Era
Una tarde rosada, tarde de primavera.

Envuelta en amplia bata de rojo terciopelo,
Suelta la cabellera, como un dorado velo,
Y en la pálida boca, pálida flor sin vida,
Una sonrisa casta, como estrella dormida,
Tendiéndome la mano, pero baja la frente,
Y esquivando los ojos, avanzó lentamente.

Unidas nuestras manos, a mi lado sentada,
Y un instante en mi hombro su frente reclinada,
Quedamos en silencio...

                                                   
¡Cuántas veces, de noche,
Lloroso, y en los labios el blasfemo reproche,
Desde ese mismo sitio sus quejidos oía,
Los ahogados quejidos de su larga agonía!
¡Cuántas veces a solas, cerca de esa ventana,
Me sorprendió sin sueño la luz de la mañana,
Mientras que de la Muerte, furtiva y en acecho,
Oíanse los pasos en torno de su lecho!...
De pronto alzó los ojos, llenos de honda dulzura,
Donde brillaba siempre su alma blanca y pura,
Y con su voz de arrullo, voz de celeste encanto,
-«Sé que lloraste... Gracias», me dijo, y rompió en llanto.

Por la abierta ventana soplos primaverales
La fragancia traían de los verdes rosales.

Luego al parque salimos.
                                                     
Su palidez de cera;
Sus pasos vacilantes al bajar la escalera,
Al andar, su cansancio; los círculos violados
En torno de las claras pupilas; los holgados
Pliegues de su vestido; la enfermiza blancura
De las manos; los dedos, en donde con holgura
Los anillos giraban; la tos, triste presagio
De que estaba marcada para el final naufragio
En la roca sombría de la Muerte; la lenta,
Triste voz; la dulzura de la faz macilenta,
Sus ahogados suspiros, plegarias de su anhelo,
-Plegarias sin palabras para un remoto cielo,-
Su laxitud... ¡Cuán pura, cuán ideal belleza,
Allí mis ojos vieron con su halo de tristeza!...
Y como presintiendo su eterna despedida
En ese dulce instante reconcentré mi vida
Y fue mi amor más grande, fue más intenso y fuerte
Al pensar que muy pronto sería de la Muerte!

Era música el vago rumor de la arboleda,
Y seguimos callados por la oscura alameda.

Al verla se agitaron en sus tallos las rosas;
Más aromas regaron las auras bulliciosas;
Entre arbustos tupidos y fragantes macetas
Asomaron sus ojos azules las violetas;
Todas las campanillas en el verde boscaje
Como que repicaron al ver su rojo traje;
Los pájaros miraban a la convaleciente,
Del parque solitario tantos días ausente;
Se oyeron en las frondas cual vagos cuchicheos,
Y al fin la alada orquesta preludió sus gorjeos
Los cisnes, como góndolas de alba plata bruñida
Enarcaron sus cuellos en el agua dormida
Y del sol a los tibios fulgures vesperales;
Destellaron las colas de los pavos reales.

«La vida es la tristeza», me dijo. «¡Todo anhelo
Del presente, mañana será amargura y duelo;
La vida es desencanto. Feliz creíme un día,
Y ya ves, cuan traidora la suerte y cuan impía!
Como flor, en mi pecho, se abría la Esperanza,
Y ya la desventura por mi camino avanza.
Lentamente mi vida se extingue. Triste, enferma,
¿A qué traer tus sueños a la sombría y yerma
Soledad de mi alma? ¿Para qué tu alegría
Trocar en amargura con mi lenta agonía?
Del árbol de la Vida fui pálido retoño,
Y me iré con las hojas marchitas del otoño;
Para toda esperanza ya soy despojo inerte...
Tú vas para la Vida... ¡yo voy hacia la Muerte!»

«Tus temores», le dije, «son de niña mimada;
Tú todo lo exageras...»

                                                   
En mi brazo apoyada
El parque abandonamos, y al subir la escalera
Parecía un crepúsculo su rubia cabellera.

Un día, para Ohio, tomó el tren.,.., ¡triste día!
Y alzando la vidriera, cuando el tren ya partía
De la Estación, me dijo:
                                             
«Te escribiré primero,
Pero escribe. Hasta pronto...  No olvides que te espero».
Y después.... en sus cartas decía:
                                                         
«Si vinieras,
¡Qué sorpresa la tuya! ¡Qué cambio...! ¡Si me vieras!
Las brisas de mi lago fueron auras de vida.
Razón tuviste. Ha vuelto la esperanza perdida.
Recuerdas? Tú decías: todo eso pronto pasa,
Y es verdad.  La alegría de nuevo está en mi casa.
Soy otra.... y soy la misma: tú entiendes.  Frescas rosas
Se abren en mis mejillas, que eran dos tuberosas.
(Bien sé que de esta frase burla harás con tu flema,
Mas no importa.  No es mía: la copié de un poema).
Hoy río, canto y juego como chiquilla. El piano,
Cerrado tanto tiempo, ya al roce de mi mano
Es música perenne.  Las viejas Melodías
¡Cómo evocan recuerdos de venturosos días!
Soy otra.... habrás de verlo.  Pasaron mis congojas,
¡Y creí que me iría con las marchitas hojas!».
Sueños de un alma casta... ¡Visión desvanecida!
Creyó en la Vida ... ¡Y pronto la traicionó la Vida!

Para siempre descansa del rigor de la suerte,
Con su velo de novia tejido por la Muerte,
Con todas sus quimeras, con todos sus anhelos,
Junto al nativo lago... bajo brumosos cielos.

Guadalajara,I miss your taste
Puebla, I miss your peoples face.
Texcoco,I miss your ways
Mexico city, I'll be back someday.
Toluca, your people cry
Jiquipilco, please keep those colors, do not die.
Zapopan, where are your men?
Guadalupe, I'm still your friend.
Coyoacan, of my own city
I want to see you, I want no pity.
Paseo de la Reforma, your tower rises,
Viva la raza, viva la Mexico!

Aztec in arts
Spanish in conquest
The Mexican breathes
And lives
Taking control
Controlling the taken,
Our blood hot
Like the chile we eat
Don't expect any less
Outside we are strong
Desert cacti
Sharp unforgiving and rough
On the outside
But the inside
Water flows
The love flows
For la raza
Death envies our vidas
So rich and full
Fearless
And feared
Tattoos cover our skin
Like they did
Our ancestors
Soon we will rise
Soon we will unite

Wussup, professional Latina?
Diversity been good 2 U?
Water warm enough 4 U?
Shaking down enuf rich gringos
to fund your Non-Profit?
(speak against capitalismo here)
Got time for la Revolución after your pedicure today?
(mention the border here)
still watching Oprah, Abuela?
heard from your third ex-husband recently?
Wussup consummate professional.
(turn on NPR here)
Got nail polish? Got car waxed? Got investments?
(take a networking business lunch here)
Have you streaked your hair enuf?
(mention indigenismo here)
I hope you are caring well for all the nietos
and still have time to be a tiburona
(insert italicized Spanish word here)
How are all your gente ?
(mention mujeres fuertes here)
Hey Latina - when did you move out of the barrio ?
(mention La Raza here)
Mujer Latina—wussup.
how is Gringolandia workin' out 4 U ?
(turn off Univision here)
'cause if the oppression gets too bad
you could always move back
to Venezuela
or Chihuahua
or San Juan,  or...
(mention Trump here)
...Miami?

In the second part of my thoughts about Purity,  would like to observe the different stages and levels of Purity. I accept the statement, that here "in this world" we can't be "perfectly pure", but also we should clarify what to understand under term "pure". We can't aim something impossible to achieve, but we can observe simple rules and make definition of "pure". Of course anyone can be "pure" person, if he want that, and it's not hard to be achieved.  Purity does not mean to be "perfect". The fact that we are all in our human body and "here" means automatically that we are not perfect. It doesn't mean we can't be pure. Now I'll determine what i mean with that. First of all, all people are born "pure" or as some kind of "tabula raza" (clear table) and the different circumstances, the different social level and the different connection with God/ or with self-consciousness make them go to a different path. We know very well that children are "innocent" and pure, they are not guilty as far as they are not able to show and express their real "self". they are in stage of innocence, but not of wisdom - which is the choice of will. (Swedenborg *). They are example of purity of heart - they talk and act from inside without any hidden intentions, or if they seem to have any, it's just by "outside" character. They have strong intuition an ability to feel the others heart. That all qualities of children we try to achieve again in our parts of life. What we have to learn and achieve is "how" to be pure. Even it's easy, it requires qualities and patience, and on the first place "will".

I. - Purity of heart :
How to achieve purity of heart? There are several rules you should observe, if you want to have pure heart. First of all the heart is center of the body, it's connected with our emotions, feelings and provides blood to all body. The heart represents actually:
1. truth (to be connected to the truth. Try to always speak out your real mind, show your real self)
2. love (have pure love to others - as first christian principle!) love others and love God
3. believe (when you believe without to want proof, that is the true faith) Believe in yourself and others.
4. God (connection with God, represented by prayer)
5. forgiveness (learn how to forgive and do not seek for revenge! that makes your heart pure of evil feelings) We can conclude the 5 principles inside the understanding of "purity of heart". They are well known and widely spread in all religious principles of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism. First of all, never conceal the truth, which you know, means do not tell lies, no matter if that will harm others or not. Truth is the first step to purity. If you feel very hard to say the truth, as you feel you are harming another, you should first heal your heart, and see that truth never can harm. You should say the truth about others too, if anyone has their "own truth", be aware that the truth of God is one, and he can see any moment your spiritual body. If you know something, which is harmful for anyone, so you don't want to say it, that will cause problems later in your life, for your health -your heart or your throat will suffer, or to the same person you wanted to "protect". In all religions the truth is one of the basis for good life. Do not hide your real face, as that is also equal to lie.
2. Love to others means - do not harm others, do not ****, do not make suicide, do not harm anyone's body or soul -by words or physically. Any human has right and it's here because of God's willing! If you take life for anyone on the planet -no matter the reasons, you play like "God", and that will send you to the bad end and out of spirit. It will remove from you all power. That is one of the biggest sin. You can not play to be God, and all his power will return to you, as there is justice but in "Spiritual" world. Don't seek complete justice on earth. There is not how it works - as all we are in the test, while we live. Can the teacher give all answers for the students, while they are in exam? of course no, but teacher can help for some willing students with clues. So the second principle for pure heart is "love the other - your fellow as yourself. - (as Jesus said) It's really hard to achieve, but if you do, you will be rewarded , because that is the real love. and not egoistic love. When you love your fellow, you allow all negative feelings to "him" and connected to world to flow away from your heart, do not allow anger to possess you, or any negative feeling, as they make your heart "unclean" for a long time. Also it's not good to hide your bad feelings inside, as they will harm you again and again. Release them forever.
3. Believe in God, trust others, and don't be very doubtful, because that will also harm your heart only. The one who really believe- as the most simple and ignorant people - so he is really pure in heart. So try to not be suspicious too much, and doubt in case that is the normal reaction. Of course it doesnt mean to believe in "any craziness' or fantasy, it means simply to choose to "believe" if you have this choice! for example there are many stories of jealousy, burning the heart of someone, when he reach to this point to **** or harm his beloved, and after that the truth reveal he didn't have reason to doubt. But so he lost all!
4. God = faith in God. that is a basis in any religion, and that is how people, who believe get strength from the source. Prayer is the most beneficial and fast way to God, and the only practice to purify your heart. If you do not believe in any God, that doesnt mean you can't pray inside yourself, or to find way to heal your heart. Anyone can find the way for himself. The prayer is the most intimate relation of human with God. - and also with the higher-self and with his pure heart. that how the prayer makes you pure. (if you want to achieve results pray at least 3 times a day, it maybe short prayers inside you, but from heart.)
5. Forgiveness - it includes all above elements of the "pure heart" - truth, love, believe, faith, but also allow your heart to pour out the bad feeling of "revenge", anger, sorrow, impatience, egoism. We should avoid all this feelings and claim them as source of bad energy. If you are "in fire" or in argument with someone, if you have different views, opinions and directions in life, dont allow anger to possess you, as then you are the one who fall in trap. If you are sad from anything, dont allow your heart to be fully in sorrow ,as that is harming you. If you need something fast and your desire is good, dont allow yourself to be impatient, as that will harm your heart. All these feelings are mentioned because of forgiveness. No matter what, you have to forgive others, if they ask for that! if they dont ask, so forgive them inside yourself, because that how your heart will be clean from the evil. If they don't want to forgive you, then their heart will suffer, and it's unfortunate.

observe all this principles, and you'll have the first basic step for "pure heart". Speak always the truth, that will make you happy and confident, don't hide your real face, will release you from the fear, Love your fellow, will make you more open-minded, believe and have faith in God, the prayer will strengthen your heart connection and make you free of bad feelings, be forgiving, don't keep the bad emotions inside you, pour out of your heart anything not necessary for it. In this way you will be very near to be pure!

-nour-
July-013

Copyright © Nina Nour

Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me (About Me)
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me

Frank V (Verse 1):
Its Been A Little Minute
Since I First Got Down
Back In The Day
When N.W.A.
Could Say **** The Police
In The Original Kday
Thought I Was Ice Cube
Went & Bought An A.K.
Sprayed Some Boys In The Hood
But Don't Quote That
Thought I Was Eazy
When I Got My First Dope Sack
Bustin' Dope Raps
Servin' All The Fiends
Drug Money Was Legit
Rap Money Just A Dream
But The Dream Came True
When Kid Frost Came Through
I Heard La Raza
****, I Could Do The Same Too
So I Rep The Brown
In Every State & Town
Those Were The Days
But Today I Still Put It Down
For All The Fans
Who Feel They Got Disconnected
From The Game
When The Lames Came & Wrecked It
But If You Want The Real
Baby I'm Still Here
Are You Still There?
Tell Me Do You Still Care?

Chorus:
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me (About Me)
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me (For Me, For Me)

Conejo (Verse 2):
I Came In Gang Bangin'
On The Mic
Ese Fresh Off The Street
In My Cortez Nikes
Ese Beach Cruiser Bikes
Smoking Primos At Night
On Some Territory ****
Enemiga In Sight
I Knew How To Write
So I Put Em Together
My 4-Track Demos
Gon' Last Forever
Cause I'm Clever
With The **** I Say
Just A Boy From The Block
West Side L.A.
I Made A Deal With The Devil
I Traded My Soul
Didn't Know What I Was Doing
Till My Heart Turned Cold
And That Brought A Lot Of Trouble
In To My Life
Along With Classic Lp's
About My Struggles & Fights
But Still I Gotta Ask
If You Still Care
If Not I'll Pay A Visit
In Your Next Nightmare
That's Only Fair
Cause I Done This For You
Even Risk My Own Freedom
This Notorious Fool

Chorus:
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me (About Me)
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me (For Me,

Kid Frost (Verse 3):
Its The Original OG
Everybody Knows Me
Started In The 80's
With That Homie Ice-T
I'm A West Coast Pioneer
Set It Off - Lead The Way
A Chicano Rapper
From The Streets Of East L.A.
20 Years Later
Look At Me
Still On The Scene
Grinding Hard - Stacking Green
Still Doing My Music Thing
So Tell Me Do You Still Care?
To All My Loyal Fans
Are You Still There?
Put It In The Air
Throw It In The Sky
I'm A Do This Music ****
Until The Day I Die
I Look Up In The Sky
You Know I Stay Strong
They Gonna Play My Music
Even When I'm Dead & Gone
A Legacy I Left Behind
You Won't Forget My Songs
I Hope My Spirit Feels It
Everytime You Put It On
Until My Dying Day
I Live Life Like A Boss
Its Viva La Raza
Y Viva Kid Frost

Chorus/Outro:
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me (About Me)
Tell Me Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me
(Do You Feel The Same Way Too)
Tell Me  Do You Care?
(If You Still Care)
For Me
(Listen To My Heart Beat)
With You Near Me
When You Hold Me
Can You Kiss Me
(Do You Feel The Same Way Too)

In a ****** society
Chicanos thrive
culture changing
as we try to survive
the vatos in the calles
**** our own kind
our culture we can't find
Aztec ancestors
Spanish savages
the blood of warriors
but our native tongue is tied
family from mexico, access denied
a fence divides
we act out in aggression
now la raza has tension
tattoos with meaning unknown
ignorance is whats really shown
our culture is lost

Raza
sounds like the Ra'zac in real life is the
word origin of "race" is the
world origin of "I hate you because I
can" I race
away from race and riot quietly in my
mind
without hope of
escaping my body my
flinch
away from a black
man walking my
instinct to correct double
negatives when really they aren't
not
right;
I'm not right

A la Humanidad
ELENA RAMOS

Ciertamente todos buscamos lo mismo
Poder, Dinero y Fama
Ser mejor para ser escuchados por todos
Tener dinero para poder comprar a todos
Y tener fama para ser reconocidos por todos
No podemos pretender ser supremos ante civilizaciones a las cuales somos exactamente iguales
Tenemos rasgos distintos, dialectos variados pero
Al final somos iguales

Esperamos un desastre para poder unirnos
Uno en el cual tengamos miedo de morir y ser derrotados por fuerzas mayores
Talvez debamos esperar ese fenómeno que cambie a la humanidad
Algo que jamás hayan podido ver nuestros ojos
Un desastre natural que acabe con todos
Una plaga que nos destruya lentamente

En la humanidad hay mucha corrupción, hay desastres creados por nosotros
Hay guerras santas, hay asesinatos planeados
Porque?
Por poder, dinero y fama
Somos invencibles en nuestras mentes, pero que pasa si afuera de nuestra visión
Hay algo más grande que todos juntos
Una fuerza invencible, un poder sobrenatural que en cualquier momento decida destruirnos
Talvez sea suerte o sea el destino

Si decidimos separarnos a diario
Si creamos más violencia
Si hay más separación de naciones
Si hay más hambre
Más infestaciones, más personas mueren a diario
Es inevitable es un proceso natural del hombre
Pero, aceptémoslo más muertes son causadas por nosotros mismos.

Soy tan humana como todos ustedes
Es un acto de paz y un pacto de unidad
La raza humana pierde su escencia
De ser capaces de analizar y ser luz
Somos ciegos y egoístas
Un ego que saciar
Un espíritu que alimentar
A base de mentiras, engaños y sacrificios

Ser pobre o rico
Tener todo o  ser nada
Ver morir pero no actuar
Decidimos sentarnos a ver lo que pasa
Pero  porque no somos parte del espectáculo mejor?
Organizaciones a diario luchan por cambiar el mundo
Fotos de acontecimientos que impactan un rato
Después son desechos que olvidamos por lujos y mentiras


El humano se convirtió en el monstruo más grande que deberíamos temer
Esa sencillez de aceptar el fracaso
Inhumanos ante las crisis de los demás
Muertes por ganas de poder
Muertes por religión y creencias
Si crees en algo, créelo
Pero
Piensa si va en contra de ti y de tu generación
Dos bandos iguales peleando por ser más notorio
Sangre derramada para demostrar grandeza
Lujos para despilfarrar
Lugares hermosos que son destrozados
El hábitat humana dejo de ser para los humanos

Nos convertimos en cosas materialistas
Sin propósitos de vida
Luchemos para ser iguales
Sin distinción de raza, ****, religión, política...
Constantemente decimos eso
Pero realmente se cumple?
Si eres humano y lees esto
Piensa que estás haciendo en este momento
Estas cambiado para bien a tu humanidad?

Usted piensa
demasiado como una raza
y no como un humano
porque era incapaz de aceptar
palabras españolas
de la piel blanca.