Attorney Leonor Rivera Fuller's Valentine’s Poetry Presentation (an Homage to her Father)
Good evening everyone and a Happy Day before Valentine’s Day.
Rufino invited me (and who can say No to Rufino?) to share some of my father’s published poems and, since 2009 marks the 10th year anniversary of my father’s death, I am much honored to do so. First, I had to get my mother’s permission, and she graciously gave it.
When I was growing up, Valentine’s Day was a family affair because Valentine’s Day is also the day of my mother’s birthday.
How many people came with their parents and families to this Valentine’s Ball? I came with some very close friends, and so would like to share my father’s poems of romance to all those who deserve our affection – our family and close friends, and our Valentine’s:
Rufino invited me (and who can say No to Rufino?) to share some of my father’s published poems and, since 2009 marks the 10th year anniversary of my father’s death, I am much honored to do so. First, I had to get my mother’s permission, and she graciously gave it.
When I was growing up, Valentine’s Day was a family affair because Valentine’s Day is also the day of my mother’s birthday.
How many people came with their parents and families to this Valentine’s Ball? I came with some very close friends, and so would like to share my father’s poems of romance to all those who deserve our affection – our family and close friends, and our Valentine’s:
I. Tonight
(Written in 1937 when he was 21 years old)
This is tonight
And yet not a kindly light
From the azure expanse above
Befriend my loneliness
If this is parting, then heaven too shall sigh
If this be the last tryst, then let it linger e'en for
a while
And then...
Knock this evening with a gift
And lend me your heart.
II. Your Smile
The rose bud is entwined with fragrance
In the mellow tones of unheard songs
Yet 'neath its waking beauty
Is a cluster of fiendish thorns
From your lips I see the sparkle
Of veiled jewels in gay lusters
But 'neath your ravishing smiles
Are there no hidden daggers?
III. Revivification
(Written in 1940)
Those little sparkles in your eyes
Opened to me a new, bright world
New vistas, new hopes, new life
More lively than the old.
You picked me up from this quagmire
Of frustration and despair
You gave my heart new boldness
To face vicissitude and care.
This dust of languor is shaken off
My chin is up; life's all a play
A string of joys that grows livelier
& At the birth of each new day.
O, where are those sparkling eyes
That gave my heart the stirring light
That inspired my troubled soul
To take a new and thrilling flight.
(Written in 1937 when he was 21 years old)
This is tonight
And yet not a kindly light
From the azure expanse above
Befriend my loneliness
If this is parting, then heaven too shall sigh
If this be the last tryst, then let it linger e'en for
a while
And then...
Knock this evening with a gift
And lend me your heart.
II. Your Smile
The rose bud is entwined with fragrance
In the mellow tones of unheard songs
Yet 'neath its waking beauty
Is a cluster of fiendish thorns
From your lips I see the sparkle
Of veiled jewels in gay lusters
But 'neath your ravishing smiles
Are there no hidden daggers?
III. Revivification
(Written in 1940)
Those little sparkles in your eyes
Opened to me a new, bright world
New vistas, new hopes, new life
More lively than the old.
You picked me up from this quagmire
Of frustration and despair
You gave my heart new boldness
To face vicissitude and care.
This dust of languor is shaken off
My chin is up; life's all a play
A string of joys that grows livelier
& At the birth of each new day.
O, where are those sparkling eyes
That gave my heart the stirring light
That inspired my troubled soul
To take a new and thrilling flight.
(Leonor addressing the audience):
I now have a special invitation for you because it is my sincere belief that we are all poets.
I would like to invite you to find some time this evening to write a haiku – poem of three lines composed of five syllables, seven, and five, respectively. For example:
I now have a special invitation for you because it is my sincere belief that we are all poets.
I would like to invite you to find some time this evening to write a haiku – poem of three lines composed of five syllables, seven, and five, respectively. For example:
"Stim-u-lus pack-age" - 5 syllables
"Our love has no de-fi-cit" - 7 syllables
"Two hearts beat as one" - 5 syllables
"Our love has no de-fi-cit" - 7 syllables
"Two hearts beat as one" - 5 syllables
Okay. Now, please get hold of anything to write on, a piece of tissue perhaps, and write your own haiku or any poetry piece. Submit them to the table. I have with me three bottles of Argentinean wine for the top three beautiful pieces that I will read later in the evening.
Thank you and enjoy writing your poems.
Thank you and enjoy writing your poems.