From My Moleskine - A Poem for Spain

Gatherite, John F. Walter, sent me wonderful photos of his recent trip to show Andalucia to visiting friends. Seeing old haunts, recalling places I had been, got the emotions running high. I grabbed my trusty Moleskine, and dashed off a quick poem. Here it is in its raw form, as scribbled into my notebook's graph-paper pages:

España--

Everyday plain is exotic to me.
The palms and orange trees
Know my name.
I am imbued with the rhythm
Of feet and hands,
Of castanets and guitar,
Of quiet nights under
Deep, velvet skies.

Gitanos stop to cook a meal--
Paella of found foods over
A hot fire of cedar boughs.
Asparagus from the fields,
Hen's eggs in the woods,
And fragrant rice with saffron.
Food and music, hearts and soul,
Smells and sounds of life
Lived at a slower, saner pace.
All this and more dwells
Forevermore in my heart!

¡Viva Andaluz!

Comments: 12

Anne B. Grote May 10, 2006, 8:13pm EDT

this recalls so many vivid memories for me as when my daughter and I visited Spain. I will go back this summer and cannot wait! Thank you so very much! Anne B. Grote

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Annina Anton May 10, 2006, 8:24pm EDT

Anne, I envy you, going back to Spain. I know you'll have a wonderful time!

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Antoinette M. May 10, 2006, 8:48pm EDT

I've never been to Spain. You make it sound wonderful, Annina.

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Tanja Edwards May 11, 2006, 12:14am EDT

Now I want to go to Spain!

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Benita K. May 11, 2006, 3:18am EDT

This is lovely. My grandson is travelling in Europe and recently had the good luck to do 'housesitting' for folks in Spain.

Like the first stanza. Perhaps more work on the second one.

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Annina Anton May 11, 2006, 3:51am EDT

ANTOINETTE - we lived there for six years, and I miss it every day. You should go!
TANJA - Go! It's wonderful!
BENITA - Oh, that's excellent! We lived there six years. My son was born there. Yes, definitely it needs work. It's a total first draft and shows! LOL! It's more like a "stream of consciousness" assemblage than a poem. We'll see what I come up with!

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jessie voigts May 11, 2006, 10:02am EDT

oh, annina - you must miss it terribly! i can't wait to go there.

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John F Walter May 11, 2006, 7:59pm EDT

I wasn't going to make any more comments now that I sent my letter around, but I have to simply say that this is a splendid evocation of the heart of your second land, which is also my second home. So many rich details, gorgeously associated in a few simple lines that convey with the purity of a gypsy cante hondo song ululated from a lonely cave, how much you love the Andalusia you left behind. Your song makes me never want to leave! Sadly, I have to say goodbye this marvelous land for a year or two myself, very soon.
It truly touched my heart, this Poem for Spain. Thank you for finding your own memories in my photos, and becoming my friend.

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Barbary Chaapel May 12, 2006, 8:56pm EDT

Annina,

Please don't change too much within this poem, especially my favorite lines: palm and orange trees know my name; also, Paella of found food.

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Richard Frisbie May 13, 2006, 1:39pm EDT

I share your love of Spain, and envy you the time spent there. It truly deserves the months and years needed to afford the long lingering days of your "sane, slower pace".
I'll be "racing through paradise" (with apologies to young Mr. Buckley) again during the first week in June and can only imagine having the time for a "paella of found food" BUT - I will imagine it and savor the thoughts.
Thank you, Annina, for the taste of what's to come.

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