Wisdom Through Poetry

By Juan Claudio-Rodriguez

In Wisdom through Poetry the author writes about his experiences, beliefs and feelings. He uses simple language to speak of love, pain, joy and conflicts that he has experienced over the years to invoke a feeling of love for humanity, community and especially poetry. He hopes to instill in the reader a sense of appreciation of one’s own experiences so that they can act in such a way that will enable them to achieve peace and happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483440774

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Claudio-Rodriguez

Copyright © 2015 Juan Claudio-Rodriguez.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4076-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-4077-4 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 11/11/2015

Contents

English Section.

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Author’s poetic Introduction.

Sección en español.

Dedicatoria

Agradecimientos

Introducción

Introducción Poética del Autor.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to our family bond that is full

of love and respect for our neighbors and our country.

Dedicatoria

Este libro está dedicado a nuestro vínculo familiar que está lleno

de amor y respeto para nuestro prójimo y por nuestra patria.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following people who helped me make this book a reality:

God for providing me the experiences and words to express my feelings in the form of poems, and for giving me his love which without his love what would have been of me.

My wife Virginia Claudio, my sons John Erik, Stepfanie Nicole and Joncarlos, because they are the source of my inspiration and for the support they have always given me in all aspects of my life.

To Jean Domond for motivating me to publish my poems and for supporting and guiding me during the course of the publication of this book.

Introduction

In Wisdom through poetry, I write about my experiences, beliefs and feelings that come from the bottom of my heart. These are experiences that have impacted all aspects of my life. My goal is to provide information through poetry that will open you eyes to what is happening in the world. These are experiences that I have lived through personally or have experienced while living in different countries of Europe and Central America or while serving the United Sates Military. In my poems I have placed educational messages so that they impact your feelings, and thus you can benefit from what I’ve seen, studied and experienced. In my poems, I use simple language to speak of love, pain, joy and conflicts that I have experienced over the years. Through Wisdom through Poetry I hope to invoke a love for humanity, community and especially poetry, as well as a sense of appreciation for what we do have. I hope that my experiences helps you appreciate your own experiences so that they will enable you to achieve peace and happiness.

Author’s poetic Introduction.

The power of poetry

Poetry is a story recounted,

whose words express emotions

that flow from head to toe

and its message touches hearts.

As it passes from the mind to a paper

poetry has its own language.

It uses organic and geometric figures.

Its message is universal.

Poetry comes from nature or reality

and not everyone looks at it the same.

Poetry is used to express

what someone wants to tell.

It’s message the world can teach.

It’s power chains can shred,

and improve our lives.

Poetry is the art of expressing

messages that you cannot hide.

Sometimes, it is hard to decipher.

Listen to it well, it can help you

and this lost world can change.

Through poetry,

our dreams we can achieve,

what you cannot accomplish and

the impossible becomes reality.

In poetry what cannot be said,

It is transported,

what you cannot deliver,

it is accomplished

and our lives are improved.

I am poetry

and so are you.

Poetry is hatred.

It is also love.

Move and don’t stop.

United all,

through poetry we can improve the world.

Haiti

Shaken and aggravated island

your homes and streets were torn

and the life of your people discarded

between rubble and destroyed buildings.

Children, women and men, all afflicted

by a tremor with restless movement

that left your people beaten and truncated

violently confined in the ruins.

Through the rubble you can hear a voice.

It is your town that screams sore and tired,

do not forsake us, we haven’t lost our faith,

we’ll fight against death. It has not triumphed over us.

Your cries were heard throughout the world,

And with purpose countries have joined

To comfort your afflicted people

and reward their despondent spirit.

Haiti;

We carry you in our hearts.

Your arduous struggle and indefinite suffering

have served as an example for Nations

as they saw that your people never gave up.

Rafters

There are rafters who risk their lives

traveling by sea

to reach the United States,

seeking freedom,

their lives to improve

and achieve their dreams.

They challenge the sea

disregarding the sharks

full of illusions.

Without knowing what awaits

they sail the waters,

with their views fixed

into the distance,

and their mind full of arrogance.

They prefer to navigate

the raging sea

than being in the country

where they have lived.

They leave in rafts

full of colleagues,

knowing many lives were lost

to the sea.

Against the turbulent waters

and violent winds,

colleagues, siblings, and children

sacrifice their lives,

hungry and thirsty asking

God to be their livelihood.

They hope to reach the shore

and step on the desired land.

Where they hope to start a new life

in a country full of opportunity

that will allow them to live free

and improve their lives.

If in the desired shores

they run into the coast guards,

they would rather die free,

where they can forge dreams

than returning to the country

that they left behind.

Freedom

Freedom is not free

as so proven throughout history.

Many soldiers died willingly.

So, that I can enjoy my liberty.

Soldiers are one of a kind.

They should not be undermined.

They served our country throughout time

protecting the rights of mankind.

Their sacrifices were not in vain.

They have felt our pain,

fought for us

and for the freedom we gained.

Thanks to freedom,

I can do, say

and question everything as I please,

and pray everyday

in the God in whom I believe.

Freedom makes me happy.

It enables me to choose

what I think is right,

to come and go without a fight

and become whatever I want to be.

Our Soldiers honor

is the shield that protects me.

Their valor the sword

that fights for me

so, that I can enjoy my liberty.

Freedom is not free.

So, it has been proven by history.

Living free is my destiny,

thanks to the soldiers

that watch over me

So, that I can enjoy my Liberty.

My Puerto Rico Suffers

Puerto Rico, Beloved country,

Island where I was born,

where I Forged my dreams

and left my youth.

Your land inhabits my soul

and fills me with pain to see you suffer.

My heart longs for you and cries out

listen to the prayer of my verses.

I ask Almighty God

to set his eyes on your conditions.

Neglected you are by your people,

and seeing your pain grieves me.

Even if