IF WE ALL KNOW THAT RIGHTS MEAN RESPONSABILITIES, DOES IT MEAN IT’S THE OTHER WAY AROUND TOO?

I didn’t want to begin by stating a thesis everyone expects to hear again, I think it is a waste of time because everybody knows it, but then again it has to be repeated time after time until it finally finds someone who will stop and listen.

Immigrants do, in fact, contribute to the economy of this country. They contribute by paying taxes (in the form of sales tax to income). They contribute by trying to learn as fast as possible in any way that might help them to assimilate and become part of a working society so they can work shoulder to shoulder with their neighbor and they contribute by helping in the development of businesses and agriculture which can be translated into profits for American business. Immigrants give to the state they are living in and of course, being human beings, yes they receive benefits that most of the time, as human beings they simply need and deserve.

I am well aware of the responsibilities each country has, and I am not saying undocumented immigrants in America should have the rights that any American citizen -for being an American citizen -should have, yet - as such human beings –they should still be given at least the recognition that they have rights, some rights and one of them is to be considered with some due respect and as a contributor who is meaningful to the growth of this nation. In the case of this great city of Atlanta, was it not the American citizens and developers who invited the Latino immigrants in mass to work in Atlanta to meet the deadlines for development for the 1996 Olympics?

Recently I had the chance to share with the Jewish community the inauguration of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. I, while watching the film, “Jews and Baseball-An American Love Story”, was able to hear within the script of the documentary many phrases that, unfortunately, I still hear today with my people. The same happened to me when I-on a Saturday evening- was watching Amistad.

Since young I have admired and defended the idea of the American Dream and the people who came to this country searching for a better everything. Most of them found it, and while finding it they were able to build a nation that is still a pride to each of its citizens. I never thought that I will be living here or that I will witness so much pain and sometimes so many injustices as I see each day in my position.

Regarding immigration, I see the point of some of the detractors of undocumented immigrants or at least, trying to be fair and wise, I try to understand it. But seeing what we see each day, I cannot stop from raising my voice trying to reach the soul of the common American man, who doesn't have any political agenda and wants to hear all the facts so that he can issue an opinion that is coming from himself; an opinion that will reflect what an American citizen is. And if, in order to knock the latch I have to reach too high or bend low, I will indeed knock it if that means somebody will open the door.

How come the simple and basic rights of immigrant parents are being dismissed due to their ignorance, their poverty, or their being different? Why in a country where the value of family is still the sacred core of its foundation?

Each day there are hospitals that deny a person who is dying of kidney failure, for example, the chance to avoid a horrible death and now, they are talking about denying education to children as it was denied long ago to those that too were different.

On the other hand, each day I receive calls from many American institutions and individuals who are trying to find a way to be able to extend their hands and help people in need.

I choose to believe that the latter is the voice of this country, because that is how this country is recognized and has been remembered for. Justice, Fairness, Humanity

We are not all responsible for the social problems that derive from illegal immigration and, indeed, the responsibilities of any progressive country are to provide education, health while it should strive to provide a healthy economic environment and conditions for its nationals. However, at the same time, the countries that have to deal with illegal immigration must not refuse to address it, rather solve it in a comprehensive and humane manner.

So, although I know it has been said before I raise here my voice and

humbly remind you that “To remove all the illegal immigrants from the state can mean that Georgia would lose $21.3 billion in economic activity, which would cost the state an additional 132,460 jobs, according to study done for Americans for Immigration Reform, a Houston-based, business-sponsored group that supports changes to current immigration law."

This stated, wouldn't we all agree that having complaining with duties such as paying taxes could mean the right to be considered a person who evidently is willing to contribute to the progress of this country?

Maybe the path this nation seems to be taking might be changed, but, are we sure that is what we want, and economically speaking, would we be able to face it?

-Beatriz Illescas Putzeys

Oda a la Musica

Para aquel que cree amarme,
que suena con tenerme,
que piensa que todo se puede
y a quien le falta tanto por vivir y entender!

Siempre estas cerca y como a los arboles me meces
y me llevas a lugares donde pueda descansar
Siempre siempre estas cerca
suave y conmovedora , fiel y tranquila
lista para transportarme a un lugar seguro,
donde pueda sonar sin que me diga nadie que no puedo
sin que me diga nadie que es muy tarde!
Y cuando el viento arrecia no abandonas,
ni cuando el sol se esconde,
ni cuando el frio duele...
Y como la primavera me invades suavecito
y como el verano me llevas a sentirme segura
y como el otono rojizo pareces poesia
y como el invierno oscuro, envuelves y prometes
que no todo es eterno
Tu canto suave o fuerte me toma y me dobla y me hace sentirme viva
me hace querer la vida, me obliga a quererme viva
y tu melodia me llena de espernza y me cuenta que un dia
sere eterea y eterna, sere suave y digna
y en secreto susrra en mi oido que como tu me quedare alli musitada
en la sonrisa esbozada de aquellos a quien amo

B Illescas

To Lawrence, the constant presence (Extract from The Simple True)

I cannot live like this but I don't have any other option than to keep on hoping to get a little something from you. A call, a letter, an encounter here in this world that now seems too big for us.
I askwhy this happened and why it happened this way, and I try to grab the good of it: my being alive, my feelings, my hopes, my joy and sadness; your existence somewhere, your thinking about me, your wanting me, your wanting to be good for me.
But still I need you, still I need your eyes watching me, devouring me with questions you don't ask, still I need the hope of seeing you, still I need to have your caring and the promises you never ever though
And now that I don't have that, today I simply feel I cannot live
We are like those who need love as they need the air they breath, yet although it might be denied to us, as we would have liked it, it still is a vague phantom that walks nearby,- impossible to grab, impossible to dream of, impossible to hope that one night it will hold you-.
I wonder if I'm choosing this as it is now instead of what I could have, but I cannot lie to my heart, and I cannot act as if we both- my heart and me-were two different things and can walk two different paths. I need to feel I love you even if I cannot. it seems I love you even if I should not. I need to feel it, and accept it, and embrace it even if I cannot have you. I need to understand that that is me, and that as long as I need you I should not fight you, or try to forget you or try to replace you. There is no one else but you
But also, I understand that if I want to live, I need to learn to let it go as it was once in my heart, because you will never be mine and I will never be yours as I once dreamed I would be
Yet, knowing me, I rather be half alive with the though of you than half dead without you as I surely would be if I didn't have the hope of finding you again and be in your arms once more

Jo Sanders

Il Postino / Tonight I can Write The Saddesst Lines

For my Inmortal beloved

No More Poetry (extract from "The Simple True")

When I think about you I think about your eyes and the way they look when you look at me
When I think about you I think about the corner of your lips and how they curved and play with me while Im trying to kiss you
When I think about you I indulge myself and let my mind get lost in the scope of possibilities that your touch unfolds for me
I think about your hands running softly thorough my valleys discovering rivers and mountain and gaps and cliffs
I think about the tone of your voice and how your words sometimes are turned into a symphony of colors in my heart
I think about the words you have said and how they scape from my memory like butterflies chased by the light
I think and think about the dreams I do not dare to speak of or even recognized as true to me
I think about you sleeping and I feeling your warmness close to me
and then I think about reality and about your world and about the things you don't say and the things I dont ask
and then the wondering and the questioning that take my innocence away begin to stalk my peace again
and I get sad, and I know thats the price I chose to pay
But then fast enough I think about the taste of your mouth and about the things that daringly I have said and did while you were watching
and I smile and rejoice for being alive and for your presence in my life
Then I get serious and think about the way you contained yourself when thinking twice what you are about to say.
and I understand you are doing your best and Im thankful for having you as my friend too
When I think of you I slowly think about your body next to mine dancing the ancient dance of love and how that would be
And yes, when I think about you I think about what you might be thinking about me which I dare not to ask

Jo Sanders

Small Talk

Do not talk to me about the weather, for to me,

each day brings something new whether it is sunny or cloudy

and the only time I really pay attention to it

is when trees show their true nature and they dress

with passion and promises before dying a little

Do not talk to me about the world events ,

religion, faith, politics or else

for the world at the end is too small for us

yet we barely live enough to say hello to our neighbor

Do not talk to me about your duties and about right or wrong

or about morality or about what should be or not be

for I have learned in life that there is only one truth if any

and that is to be honest to yourself and very seldom we are too

Do not talk to me about the things you would like to do

or how you wish things were

for theres only one moment to grab, one instant to asses

and you are already using it

Talk to me instead of who you are and what you dream to be with me

Talk to me of what you feel and what you really want from me

talk to me about how you know who I am and why Im here

and then I surely stop on my way, stay for a while

and listen with my heart to only you

B Illescas

EITHER OR

Either you have never been here or you have so many times

that you have become a gambler who couldn't care less

if he loses

Either you have forgotten the marsh or the steel on the roads

constrain your wings in such a manner

that you dont remember how does it feel the breeze on your face

Either you like to be the player who gets to first base only

or you have never known the trill of flying

Either you have the secret to eternal life

or the remaining chances to really live dont matter anymore

Either you would rather be he that turns around and dont look back

than he who dances and plays with sunshine

Either you prefer to be hidden among maps that wont get you anywhere

than the explorer who seeks without fear even in the darkness

Either you would rather feel free of guilty whatsoever

than allow yourself some flawless desires

Either you can hold it very tightly

or you are about to collapse and dont know what to do

I would never know…

But what I do know is that

neither I want to keep on making a fool of myself

by waiting for a sign that never comes

nor be broken by the uncaring hand of a caring mind

B Illescas

Entre lo cotidiano de la casi plenipotencia

Para Estuard, a quien le damos un poco de ternura…

Uno de estos días me agencie que viniese una señora de alla que si sabe cocinar. Esa mañana me fui temprano al "farmers market" y como la patita de la canción, traje un poquito de cada cosa para que nos hiciera el caldo tan de Guatemala. Cuando regresamos la Isa y yo la casa entera olía a casa casa y aunque aun había frío se sentía el calor del hogar extrañado

La Isa valientemente declaro: “el caldo es mío!” y yo, como buena madre, renuncie al festín de nuestra tierra.
Durante dos días la niña volvió a comer con gusto seguramente recordando muchas tardes que regresando del colegio encontraba eso que ahora, por mas que me esfuerce ,no logramos tener.

Una noche al cabo de dos días, aun quedaba un poco de cocido; y antes de acostarnos platicando en la cama y milagrosamente encontrado un espacio para reírnos juntas lo trajo para terminarlo. Sin duda el olor tan especial me alcanzo y ella percibiéndolo, exclama: "No mami anda! tomatelo tu!". Al insistir ella, feliz lo acepté… es que …-como y cuanto se extraña cada cosita de nuestra tierra! -y empecé encantada a saborearme el elote. Por el rabillo del ojo observe que me miraba con antojo aun probablemente renegando de su generosidad espontánea. Medio arrepentida, pero de veras solo medio arrepentida, (donde queda a veces la renuncia materna???!!!) y medio esperanzada le dije, "No isa si a ti te fascina, terminatelo tu! y ella, verdaderamente generosa, dijo que no.

Cuando termine me observa y empieza a sonreír y la sonrisa pronto se convierte en carcajadas y entre risas y lagrimas suavemente exclama, “Ay mami de veras que somos los parientes pobres, aqui peleandonos por un elote!”

Pienso yo que esa noche nos recuperamos un poco, nos volvimos compinches, nos quisimos muchísimo
Y entre ambas sostuvimos lo que a veces nos parece insostenible y nos dimos fuerzas para seguir adelante

Seduction

For time and life decide for us
At dawn I lay and think of you
and thinking place my needs aside,
and wanting hold my dreams so still
But then my fingers play my blood
my mouth moves soft over some lips foretold
my voice cries gently for what is not
and my heart expands with a sigh withheld

Yet afterwards the yearn remains
the need builds up, and the hunger grows
and in the early hours of the quiet dawn
myself grows still and I long for you
and certain weakness unfolds my breath
while I cosset in your roughly voice
and some unease posses myself
while I indulge in your tenderness

And despite the fear of the unsaid,
despite the wildness of your first kiss,
despite the weightless being of your not here
I harshly gasp and I call your name,
embrace yourself, and draw out my soul
I raise and fiercely hold onto you
get lost in pain and in sparks of joy
and within your arms I stir my youth
and within your gaze I dissolve once more





B Illescas

Con la debida autorizacion y todo el carino y respeto que mi amiga merece, copio aqui, sus pensamientos después de un ano igualmente muy difícil. Que la ultima linea pese siempre mas que todo!

Reflexiones 2010




Hoy, a punto de terminar este año, quiero aprovechar este momento de paz, en este lugar espectacular, para reflexionar sobre lo aprendido. Es a modo de testimonio que quiero dejar en papel lo que quedó en mi corazón para no repetir, para ver a tiempo, para reconocer. Los errores cometidos no lo fueron tanto si dentro queda algo que me haga mejor.


1. La realidad que vivo no es la misma para todos. Lo que veo, siento y vivo es solo porque viene de mí. Es para mí. Es mío. Esa realidad es distinta para quien tengo al lado; para mi hermano, para mi pareja, para mi hijo. Nuestros propios filtros nos hacen vivir el mismo momento de forma distinta. Esto no quiere decir que me vaya por la frase de “hay dos lados de la moneda”. La moneda es la misma. Lo que nos hace verla distinta es lo que tenemos en el corazón. Una historia de amor mágica hay que asegurarla, preguntar mil veces si es lo mismo para los dos; si las cosas cambian en dos segundos, la historia se vuelve de horror. Esta realidad hermosa de luz, color y aire limpio puede ser el momento más mágico de mi día, pero a lo mejor alguien está viviendo lo mismo y siente amargura. Hacemos nuestra propia realidad, construimos nuestra vida sin darnos cuenta que no hace falta nada ni nadie para mejorarla o empeorarla. Lo que tengo en el corazón y en la cabeza hacen que de mí salga lo que quiero ser, lo que quiero vivir. Es mi opción hacerla buena o mala.


2. Las mentiras solo existen para quien las dice. Qué importa lo que los demás piensen si nosotros vivimos en una fantasía? No importa nada. Esa mentira solo nos marca la cara como indio piel roja. Podemos acumular mil marcas en la cara, y llenar nuestro cuerpo con mentiras negras, blancas, rosadas piadosas. Al final los demás no verán lo que somos sino todas las mentiras que vivimos. Puede ser que dentro de nuestras cabezas locas pensemos que estamos haciendo bien a alguien, que estamos justificando nuestras acciones, o que estamos haciendo las cosas más fáciles. En realidad estamos haciéndonos la vida más difícil. De nuevo, esta es una opción.


3. Cada gota de amor cuenta. Cada gesto amable acumula. Cada acción positiva deposita. En la frustración de una respuesta negativa podemos pensar que damos más de lo que recibimos. Probablemente dimos más, pero no nos hace menos. Una sonrisa puede cambiar el día de alguien. Una palabra amable puede ablandar el corazón de todos. Un cariñito en la espalda, un apretón de manos, una sorpresita agradable no nos quita nada y por el contrario, por esa cuestión del karma, nos regresará en abundancia de otra manera. Dejamos amor regado por ahí, para que germine en algo, en alguien. El corre y corre de todos los días podría ser corre y siembra. Y si por casualidad alguien se aprovecha, bien por él. Y si por casualidad no es bien aceptado, mal por él. En el fondo de nuestra naturaleza humana esa persona sabrá que perdió en lugar de ganar, y nosotros siempre habremos ganado. Lo mismo pasa al revés. Si recibo un gesto amable y decido aceptarlo solo borraré de mi corazón algún pedacito de dolor. Si decido no recibirlo, ese pedacito quedará igual. Dejé este año un certificado de depósito bastante voluminoso de amor, estoy convencida de que tengo asegurada la pensión. De nuevo, opción.


4. La familia no es opcional. Los hijos a pesar de ser criados con amor, tienen derecho a tener su propia opinión. Los hermanos pueden juzgarnos como el más implacable juez de corte. Llenaremos en mayor o menor cantidad las expectativas de nuestros padres. Podemos frustrarnos o seguir intentando. Mis hermanos y mis padres ya podrán juzgar, criticar y tengo que darles la oportunidad de conocer quien realmente soy. Espero que les guste. Lamentaré mucho si al final no podemos darnos un abrazo y aceptarnos porque sí, porque somos y porque valemos así, naturales y sin mentiras. Lo más importante es que la mejor versión de mi quede en mis hijos. Amo a mis hijos, cada uno en su peculiaridad propia es único, irrepetible, y lleno de potencial para ser grande y para hacer cosas grandes. Solo pido tener el tiempo para verlos. Vida para disfrutarlos. Espacio para dejarlos ser. Sabiduría para saberlos guiar. Mi único legado son esas tres personas que sin saberlo han sostenido mi vida.


5. La vida se hace de ratitos. Como diría Juanes, la vida es un ratico. La felicidad no es eterna, es de segundos. Los viajes en montaña rusa duran eso, un viaje. Los dolores de corazón pueden volverse eternos. Esta es una lección que no es lección. Es un pendiente. Cómo hacer para que la balanza cambie y la felicidad se alargue. Como hacer para que el dolor no se sienta tanto y se haga minúsculo. Creo que es otra opción! Seguro que sí.


6. No hay nada más delicioso que atreverse. Tomar riesgos, romper el molde, salirnos del rebaño. No quiere decir que nos volvamos rebeldes sin causa. Solo quiere decir que la rutina puede ahogar impulsos que al final nos pueden llenar tanto! Correr riesgos nos deja ver de qué estamos hechos. Este año he sido muy valiente, me he probado a mi misma que soy muy fuerte. Mis hijos dicen Gladiadora, luchadora. No me lo había creído tanto como este año. Sí, tengo una armadura que no sabía que tenía. Claro que si se abre un pedacito del metal, hay un pudín dentro, pero escojo que sea de chocolate y reto a un valiente a probarlo.


7. Un error imperdonable se perdona con amor. Los golpes más duros de la vida, lo inimaginable, lo imborrable puede perdonarse. No es falta de auto estima, no es tontera, no es cegera. Cuando se ama totalmente, se puede perdonar y queda en la madurez de cada ser, crecer fuera del error y superar cualquier tabú. Este año perdoné sinceramente, creí profundamente, crecí en eso y aunque fui tachada de tonta ingenua, sé que era lo que mi corazón podía dar en ese momento. Escarbé y encontré que soy más fuerte que un error, que soy mas fuerte que una crítica. A lo mejor se aprovecharon de mí. A lo mejor fue un tiro al aire. Pero fue mi opción y la tomé.

8. En los momentos de más dolor aparecen los cuervos disfrazados de amigos, o mejor dicho, los cuervos que creemos amigos. Aparecen también cuando hemos cometido un error, que en realidad puede cambiarnos la vida, y nos llenan la cabeza de basura. Nos ayudan a justificar lo injustificable, claro, por nuestro bien... el de quién quisiera saber? Hay que mantener los ojos muy abiertos y aprender a distinguir a quien nos quiere bien de aquellos que nos quieren, pero nos quieren mal.

9. Las apariencias sí engañan. El instinto nos puede gritar en la cabeza pero los ojos a veces nos engañan. El impulso nos trata de alejar del peligro, pero una mentira nos enfrasca en una telaraña tal, que dejamos de escuchar y nos vamos, nos damos completos por el camino equivocado. No quiero jamás caer en el camino de la desconfianza eterna, pero aprendí que un poco de cautela y precaución, sobre todo cuando se enciende esa luz roja en el fondo de la cabeza, no caen nada mal. Escucha a tu corazón primero, siente con el cuerpo la alarma y luego decide con la cabeza.

10. Siempre hay algo más. Siempre hay esperanza. Siempre hay una ventana. Siempre habrá una mano amiga sincera. Siempre hay luz. Ningún dolor es eterno. Ningún amor mata. Nadie tiene derecho a destrozar la paz. Nadie es más grande, ni más fuerte, que la voluntad que llevo dentro, de ser feliz
www.anclasenlospies.blogspot.com-Mariel Alvarado

THE GUY AT THE TOLL
To ma Andree, my little sunshine

Many mornings I chose his line just to be greeted by him. I remember the first time I was in his line, I was crying and he said to me, “Hi sunshine!” without realizing how bad I was, but with that simple gesture, sunshine was returned to my heart. At least for the moment, but oh how sweet and healing it was.
Someone in a very regular afternoon has wanted to be extraordinary within the very ordinary and common work he had
He is old, black, his hair is almost white, but theres something naughty and playful in his eyes that makes you want to stay a little longer around him
In these three years I have seen him enough to let him recognize me every time I stop to pay and get the change back. He spoils me with his greetings, when I need to exchange 10 dollar bills for quarter rolls he just gave them to me with a wink, so different form the bitter younger women who also work there.
Many times I choose the slowest line in order to greet him and learn more about attitude
You see. This cold must be bad for his bones; his job might be seen as extremely boring, besides diminishing maybe by some. How many people would really stop and see his beauty? His salary? dreadful. Will he be hungry, sad, filled with worries? Yet he always has a smile for me.
I though I was special until my oldest daughter said something about him, and I found that he was probably like that with everybody who would cared enough to stop and really see; who would still know that life is a little bit more than running to get there on time, but to get where. Do we really stop to realize where are we heading to?
“What’s up you little rascal? What have you been up to? “ He exclaims as soon as he recognizes me. And then he knocks at my close fist already prepare and eagerly waiting for his greeting as if we were long time pals. And in some senses we are; at least at that instant. Nothing is different or unequal between him and me, we are just two individuals recognizing the other and giving the other a ray of sunshine in a smile.. .to keep on
Some times people that are traveling with me ask me why is that I haven’t order the chip to just drive through and not stop at the toll. I told them that I always forget to do it but I guess that besides the fact that as soon as I get to the office there are so many things that I just simply forget it theres a little more than that.
To gain a couple of minutes in the never ending run to nowhere cannot be compared to get a full smile filled with attitude. He is my little champion and today with this simple story I stop in my line for living to salute him and bless him for what he has shown me.

Autumn Song

Let's go down the road together, you and I,
Let's go down the road together,
Through the vivid autumn weather;
Let's go down the road together when the red leaves fly.
Let's go searching, searching after
Joy and mirth and love and laughter--
Let's go down the road together, you and I.

Let's go hunting for adventure, you and I,
For the romance we are knowing
Waits for us, alive and glowing,
For the romance that has always passed us by.
Let's have done with tears and sighing,
What if summer-time is dying?
Let's go hunting for adventure, you and I.

Let's go down the road together, you and I--
And if you are frightened lest you
Weary grow, my arms will rest you,
As we take the road together when the red leaves fly.
Springtime is the time for mating?
Ah, a deeper love is waiting
Down the autumn road that calls us, you and I!

Margaret Sangster

Lawrence

You, seen through your own soul by my own

Lawrence is good as a sunshine ray,

reliable as an April day,

sure as a road walked before;

strong as a childhood belief,

timid as a morning song,

playful as a kite in the wind,

straight as a goal pursued,

firm as a lighting storm…

But where the marsh is…

where the marsh seems to wait steadily

for that that might dissolve it into eternity

Lawrence becomes bird, song, perfume, comet;

his heart expands deep enough to embrace the world,

his face meets the breeze with an open sight,

his thirst seems to be quenched by the morning dew

As if it were hope

And there he smiles with the plenitude of those who believe,

and there his search rests acceptingly for the nigh

and there he turns around and sees far beyond of what is there

and quietly and briefly,

without promising any impossible possible

yet without doubting the certainty of the uncertain

with a wink in his smile and a smile in his eyes

he extends his hand and hushes me.

J Sanders