Hurricane

Suddenly the Hurricane arrived
It hit me with it's sand blinding me
It pushed me from one side to another
I found myself in complete darkness ...
and so I stood there not knowing what to do ..
waiting for it to pass over me
and go away ....

Then within that dark moment
of unanswered questions
a faint light appeared in the distance
your words of friendship
solidarity, support ..

Telling me with infinite tenderness
all will pass
everything would be fine
to remember who I was

That I was not alone
it was not my fault
this things happens
and to have faith
in a future full of light
joy and love

That I deserved better
that I had many who cared for me
that they have seen the hurricane approaching
when I was looking at the stars
unsuspectingly

So thanks,
thanks for being my stick
when I could not stand on my own
Thanks for encouraging me with your love
and your wise words ....

Sonia Paz Pach  Baronvine-Silva
February 1, 2013
California

THE JEWELS OF MY LAND

In my distant land, where at night
the stars look like diamonds in the desert
floating above the low fog
and the blue sea shines like a sapphire,
there is a ruby-red flower that blooms at night in the rain forest's peace ...


In that distant land the hills are as green as emeralds and snowy mountains glow like pearls ..

The valleys embroidered with vineyards, where grapes in the sun, seem like ancient ambars, honey, milk abound ...
in its beaches of golden sands
hidden treasures of multicolored agates ...

Crystal clear lakes at the foot of majestic volcanoes, reflecting its snowy peaks
as amethyst, the sunset's light ...

While rivers of diamonds falling from the high peaks in thousands of waterfalls,
kissing the willows as jades, that sway in the summer's breeze  ...

My distant land, my golden Chile, with the blue sky where condors fly free and sound,
in contrast to the dew-kissed green ferns, delicate treasures of our eternal rain forest ...

The white flags of the countryside announce warm fresh bread, fruit, beer, cheese

My land far away, I miss you, your golden autumns leaves, your rainy winters,
springs of kites and your fragrant summer nights

Copyright 2012 Sonia Paz Baronvine

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

The Southern Cross ...

Under the starry night
north on the old planet
I think of you ... love ...

I think of your sweet eyes
on how you look at me
when you love me
of our whispers
of your kisses ....

I want to hold your hand
for life
smiling
loving
happy .....

Take me love
to the Southern Cross
Show it to me again
as you cuddle me
in your embrace .....

Copyright 2012 Sonia Paz Baronvine

TIME

Time passes by so fast
we turn around and ten years
have come and gone..
I have a photo of my children
taken ten years ago
all six of them sitting on the sofa
smiling at me…

Now ten years later
I smile at them when I look
at that sweet photo, they
were so small then…

Now some are engaged,
Some are married,
some have children
some are in school
some work,
some live far away
some still live at home..
And as I type this poem
my grandson plays with
his toys next to me,
as time goes by…

Copyright 2010 Sonia Paz Baronvine

NEARING CHILE...

I feel you coming

that moment...

when I see the sun

appear over the mountains

as when I was a child.....

That moment

when I step on my land

and smell the aroma....

When I look at the faces of everyone

and see my race, my eyes, my smile....

That moment

when I embrace

those I love

when I laugh

when I call my friends

when I drive thru my city....

When I listen to my music

when I am called

to tea time!!

I feel you near....

Copyright 2012 Sonia Paz Baronvine

LIKE A CONDOR...

I want to fly like a condor...free

with the blue sky around me

looking at the beauty of my land.....


Gliding silently

among the mountains

clear lakes reflecting me

landing on the hilltops

feeling the wind caressing me

and with ancient eyes

look at the dawn....

Copyright 2012 Sonia Paz Baronvine

A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT ...

A midsummer's night

I will climb up

looking from up high

at Santiago's lights....

I will sit in the dark

to fill my pupils

with the beauty

of her nights.....

Rivers of golden lights

cross you

my hometown....

Place full of memories

of joys and sorrows

back today

to see you

come and wait for me.....

I am almost there

and soon we

will be together....

Copyright 2012 Sonia Paz Baronvine

IT IS A MATTER OF SKIN...

Years pass ... the outside changes
our eyes sink, hide
after all they saw ...
Our mouth, slowly loses the
smile but we do not know
the rictus of age one day surprise us ...
Changed on the outside ...
in our hair, they appear
silver threads
and our walk ...slows ...
The tenderness of the grandchildren
wards off loneliness, protects us
and we feel safe there, as
grandmothers, and without needing
to be more than that ...
But fate is playful
has plans of it's own
Our plans are not important...
And suddenly you're a guitar
in the hands of a virtuoso
and sing again
beautiful, young, free
with the melody of love
enveloping you....
and fully feel the kiss of desire
returning to your skin ....

A KISS IN THE WIND...

Last night, I went out to the terrace .. .. it was cold ...
the stars shone beautiful in the night sky...
my warm breath you could see in the air
and I fell in love with Venus ....
I thought of you .. so far away from me
sleeping in your warm summer night
oblivious to my thoughts ...
And here, in the north of the old planet
with snow on the pines that surround
the island ... you sent you a kiss
floating in the wind going south ....

Copyright 2011 Sonia Paz Baronvine

LOVING

I close my eyes and smile, remembering your words,

even feeling your breath on my skin....

As a sandy path, soft and warm

through me up to the sea

you were filled by my

seaside scent.....

Your hands touched me in the distance,

stroking my body,

discovering my secrets...

And your lips kissed me thru time

long and sweet kisses

full of tenderness.....

Slowly without words

gazing each other

we danced the magic

music of love......

Your taste and mine

your skin and mine

your sighs and mine

in the eternal night

never to be forgotten....

You and I

through the threshold

holding hands

smiling at the sunset

awaiting us.....

Copyright 2011 Sonia Paz Baronvine

I NEED YOU NEAR...

I need you near

your words

are recorded in my mind

I repeat them while

I think of you...so far away...

While you sleep

in the south of the old planet

I smile thinking

of that sunset we

have planned...

How it will be to gaze at you

how our first hug will feel

how it will be when we laugh

when we sing

when we share so many

things we yearn to tell....

We have lived so much lile

We have been in the same places

but in a different time....

It saddens me to know you so late in life

but I know how

valuable things

take time in arrive...

Our friendship is cute

we communicate

in this virtual world

slowly opening

the door we had closed

tired of sorrows

thinking it would be

forever....

But the surprising love

unexpected arrival

is like spring

appears one morning

full of flowers

to remind us

there is hope yet.....

Thank you my sweet friend

for the beautiful moments

you have given me.....

Copyright 2011 Sonia Paz Baronvine

YOUR VOICE IN THE MEMORY

I remember you laughing, with that warm, frank smile

your big brother's sweet voice, teaching me

when I sat to watch you play guitar

how easy was for you to compose those melodies

that I will never forget ....

Such tender eyes, watching the children

the tenderness of your hugs to the old ladies

who came to greet you ..

walking surrounded by humble people

everyone wanted to touch you ...

It was the Chilean people

it was your beloved people

those women who bake the bread

those who rise at dawn

those men who toil under the sun

sitting down to lunch under the trees

singing your songs ...

Those children, tan skin,with black olive eyes smiling

Pachi Here is our future, you used to tell me

caressing their heads as you walked by ..

How often three of us, you, Richard and I

went to Valparaiso to sing, touring roads and streets

of those steep hills in your truck ....

how we laughed thinking" what if the breaks fail"..

somewhere, going down those streets...

They were happy years, my friend

were days of music, brotherhood

where we sat to play guitar

surrounded by ponchos and flutes

Now that you are gone

to sing through the universe,

your music still lives

in all of us who know you, but also in many more who follow your example....

Copyright ©2011 Sonia Paz Baronvine

Poem for my friend Victor Jara

PINCOYA

Pincoya

In the night, when everyone sleeps
you come silently from the water
shaking your algae hair
and with your phosphorescent eyes
of nocturnal sea..you look at the stars....

Emerging from the water
naked, your golden skin
reflects the moonlight
and when you inhale the
marine air, magically you
transform into a woman..

Leaving footprints on the cold sand
you walk slowly, unhurried...
followed by fireflies
that cling to your hair
you shine in the dark....

And gently, smiling
you sing
a sweet melody
Pincoya turns and turns
dancing under the
moonlight....

Copyright © Sonia Paz Baronvine

SPRING IS NEAR...

Walking thru the park..
holding my little grandson's hand
I see the blooming pink trees
and he points at the pretty flowers..

Spring is near,
I can feel it in the scent
that surrounds us...

As I hold him in my arms
the wind blows some
petals on my hair,
and I delight with his giggle..

Copyright © 2011

Sonia Paz Baronvine

WINTER'S WIND

Driving in the rain
at night..
blurred colorful lights pass me by
holiday leftover
from diehard neighbors....

It is winter in Central California
and I am cold, I also cry easily
lately... because my son is sick...

It is hard to keep a cheerful face
when inside of me I have
this heavy heart...

You my oldest son,
once bright, witty, strong
now sad, sarcastic, weak
the cancer hurting you,
the chemo poisoning you,

And me...
praying to all the goddesses
in the middle of the park
away from everyone
crying under the rain
screaming to the winter's
wind to ask mother earth
to heal you...

My tears are salty
they fall copiously
from my tired eyes
down to my neck
as I search the stars
for an answer.....

Copyright © 2010

Sonia Paz Baronvine

HALLOWEEN AGAIN...

After the rain, my grandson and I
walk holding hands among the pumpkins
pointing at this one and that one..
He runs up and down the patch, his eyes sparkling,
filled with joy..
Memories of choosing pumpkins long time ago,
with his mom at his age, come back to me....
Halloween Again...
In the Autumn afternoon I feel the air brisk,
the aroma of wet earth,
while he chooses one and insists on carrying it himself...
Holding his treasure, we walk, he smiles at me, with rosy cheeks,

and tells me how we will carve it and place a candle inside
Halloween Again....
Time for costumes and candy, red apples and dry corn
As we drive away, he tells me,
this is the best pumpkin ever, grandma!

Copyright © 2010

Sonia Paz Baronvine

WITH MY SISTERS

The summer morning is perfect

arriving from near and far

sisters of all ages, fill the Mission Plaza

with colors and laughter....

Sisters hugging and smiling

setting up their booths and sharing their art.

The sound of the drums in the air

the smell of coffee and chocolate buns,

young girls running around with

colorful painted faces

and volunteers in bright yellow shirts

like sunflowers

helping everyone..

Day with Creative Women

music, art, poetry, fun

and sisterhood

I sit under the ancient eucaliptus trees

and listen to the Mission bells ring,

a bride like a fairy in white walks on the lawn

and we smile to each other

both happy, both surrounded with joy

I look around and see my sisters

laughing, sharing, dancing,

all is well, all is peace.

Sonia Paz Baronvine

REMEMBERING GIOVANNI

Today your tired body is finally resting
and your soul is free at last
to soar the firmament
and glide over that sea
you loved so much....

All of us are silent
lost for words
sad to have lost you
missing you already....

Remembering you
your tender voice
and that smile
we will never forget...

Sweet Giovanni
my old friend
of summer days
filled with joy
sunsets among friends
nights filled with music
under the stars.....

We were so young
and had so many plans
life brought you fame
and you shone like a star
you were a light
in the dark to many......

A good husband
a good dad
yours was a happy family
magic was all around....

We will remember you
and your life
we will continue your work
and your dreams....

Your spirit now is along angels
and someday
my sweet brother
among the clouds
we will meet again.....

Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
Copyright 2009

FABIOLA

FABIOLA
Dedicated to Human Rights Activist
Fabiola Letelier del Solar



When the dark clouds of tyranny fell all around you
when the evil hands silenced your brave brother
when innocent men and women disappeared in the night
and nobody knew where they were taken
when it was easy to look the other way and be safe
you stood up alone against injustice,
your voice spoke of truth and liberty

Looking at the face of the assassins you stood strong
and you were the voice of the missing ones,
those who were voiceless, lost in the fog of terror,
you never forgot them, you made their memories
your crusade.

Brave Fabiola, an example to women everywhere
a mother, a lawyer, a freedom fighter, a feminist
brave woman, solidarity is your motto,
The tortured ones, the political prisoners, the forgotten ones
you fought for their liberty and dignity, you alone
gave years of struggle and dedication..

I admire you, I salute you.


Copyright © 2009

Sonia Paz Baronvine

GOODBYE JULIN

Yesterday I learned you are gone

that your colorful house is dark now

that I will never see your smile again

you took the sunset trail

following the first night's star...

Can you hear me from far away

if I stand under the stars and

call your name?

Can you recognizme now that

I am old?

Only memories of those summers

remain, when we laughed and sang

sitting by the sea.

Goodbye Julin my sweet friend

I will go visit you soon

I'll seat on lover's beach

and I will caress the sand

where you now sleep...

Copyright © 2008

Sonia Paz Baronvine