Respire

I wanted to capture the words—
a violet eddy of emotions
that tumble and lift again—
like an inhalation captures the wind.
 
a pulse
a beat
a measure
a song
 
A quickening of the heart
To which we can dance along.
 
I wanted to capture the words—
After all the anxiety
And exertion—
Like an inhalation captures the wind
In order to breathe easily or freely again.
 
And only to say this:

Things I Like

1.
i like
the sound of a strong wind
howling
through the tiny cracks
of my weathered window sill
like a heartbroken wolf
it reminds me
of that long ago December
when you licked my lobe
and in your cinnamon voice
told me
that my touch
was like water
you never caused
a butterfly’s wings to flutter
frightfully
from the silky rustlings
of a sundress


2.
i like
the cool feel of a light mist
stinging my cheeks
my lips
my forehead
my closed eyelids
i think back
to when i stood
beside el sarto cure
the tart sweetness
of stolen oranges
that left my fingers sticky
with mischief


3.
i like
parades and fiestas
that make the people happy
brittle old women clapping
their arthritic hands
and flashing
fleshy smiles
the scent
of pasteles
arroz con gondules
y relleno de papa
the spirit is in the rhythm
even foreigners
in faux costumes can beam
with genuine pride


4.
i like
very much
childish feelings
but i also like
the manly machismo
that implies
brute strength
i like Samson wrestling
a lion
or cutting off the foreskins
of philistines
but i don’t like his naivete
towards delilah
no
i don’t like love
and its insecurities
its wayward loyalties
and silent accusations
i like this opinion
even though it is based on nothing
more than fear

Eduardo Ramirez

I am a dream deferred

I am hope on hold

I am soon to come

I am in progress

I am an arrow pointing true

I am human

I am you, man

[Webmaster’s Note: An essay by Ramirez, “Welcome to Hell,” also appears in this issue of SHJ.]

[Postscript by Contributing Editor, Thomas E. Kennedy: Eduardo Ramirez will celebrate his 37th birthday this November 10th—he has been in an adult, maximum-security prison since his 19th year—soon half his life! Even if he is guilty of the crime with which he was charged—and it is likely that he is not (the courts refuse to examine the DNA evidence)—enough is enough. In Denmark, you get far less time for a felony, even a violent crime, even a murder. Only in very exceptional cases will a person be incarcerated for 18 years. The U.S. has the most people in prison, per capita, of any country in the world! Ramirez devotes his time to maintaining his dignity under severe circumstances. He is an inspiration.]