Fight for Your Hopes and Dreams

By Carlos Carbajal

Carlos Carbajals poetry weaves together images from mythology, social science, and Latin
American history with the truths of his own heart. Th e result is a textured cloth that speaks
to his experience as a father, teacher, lover, and immigrant. Standing at the juncture of many
worlds, Carbajal speaks with a unique voice, full of honesty, passion, and hope. It is a voice
that calls us all to fi ght for our dreams.
Jerusha Matsen Neal,
Princeton Th eological Seminary
Carlos has a true ear for poetry and the English language. His poems jump off the page,
creating a lasting impression. His work is a must read for poetry enthusiasts.
David Hattem,
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Carlos, I had the opportunity to read your poems and found them to be quite intriguing,
placing one in a state of absence interminable. Th e collection of verse and prose tends to touch
the hearts and souls of the readers as they refl ect upon the subject in question, often ending
with the perception that it is I, the reader, whom the author is writing about.
Marie Conceptia Girault, Essex County College
Amazing work! I have known Carlos for several years. His circumstances and the circumstances
around him are represented in his work. Your words paint a vivid picture of the moments.
Well done, my friend, well done.
Carol A. Jonas, S.T.A.R.S. Academy
In this collection of poems and essays, Carlos Carbajal off ers an intimate, lyrical, and
passionate diary of a man who loves. He loves his family, his students, his native Peru, and his
second homeland, the United States. Th e reader is all the richer for it.
Maria Enrico, Borough of Manhattan
Community College, City University of New York

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483663715

Carlos Carbajal

none

Book preview

Contents

Expectation

The Teacher’s Sword

Laura

A Master Teacher

Young Souls Read Aloud

The Grace Of The Teacher

Meandering Wind

A Successful Pupil And Educator

Challenge

A Cold Air

The Political Power

The Abuse Of Power

Between Darkness And Light

A Glimmer Of Sunlight

My Wonderful Tempest

A Challenging Season

A Green Journey

Love

A Diverse Couple

A Warm Sense

The Ocean In Your Eyes

Je Ne Sais Quoi

Alluring Nature

Mi Amor

Aura In The Wind

Her Majesty

Hope

Living In Hope

The Power Of Sound

Our Autumnal Season

A Meaningful Life

About Silvia

You And Me

My Chair

A Wilderness Beauty

The Utr Program*

Chocano, The American Qoa

Do-Si-Do

Machu Picchu

Spirituality

Following Thee

The Second Coming

Miscellanies

The Little Things

Sub Being A Substitute Teacher

The Next Day

A Year More Or A Year Less

A Sociofamiliar Environment Of Senior Citizens At The Canevaro Shelter In Lima, Peru

Nigel’s Testimony And Mine

The Irony

Spousal Abuse Hidden But Widespread

Exploring The Generation Gap In Spanish Immigrant Families

References

Acknowledgment

For Carlos Alberto and Silvia Sue

EXPECTATION

THE TEACHER’S SWORD

Joan of Arc heard voices about

her shining sword, the source of her power;

teachers hear voices and have visions of

building trust and cooperation

with families,

building cultural reciprocity,

not only better relationships

but also more reasonable goals

The sword imbues magical

power to strengthen

family-teacher partnership

Many families are English-language learners,

live with low incomes

among undocumented immigrants

with culturally diverse backgrounds,

and teachers perform miracles,

to empower students and families,

Arthur’s drawing

the marvelous sword from the stone

to unite the kingdom

LAURA

You are a natural warrior

a Greek Spartan

of the ancient time,

fierce in the field,

fighting body against body

for what you seek

in the quality of life.

You are wonderful

because you taught me to see

the world from all the angles,

wonderful because of

your zest

in math and sport,

wonderful because

you enjoy school endeavor.

The Weberian rationality

doesn’t govern your life;

your passion for staying active

makes you feel alive, brave,

and full of joy.

Even in those moments when

you feel uncomfortable

in your wheelchair at class,

you have the courage to move

ever on and go to class with

Spartan discipline

A MASTER TEACHER

A teacher who puts his heart

and soul in his job

sets high expectations

and makes a difference

in students’ lives.

In the darkness, this teacher

is a candle lighting the way

for students.

Teaching-learning teaching,

never ending and thriving on it,

it is worthwhile;

it has sunshine in its results.

Teaching is magical because

it allows one to expand imaginations

in students;

it is philosophical because

it allows them to wonder about wonders;

it is architectural because

it allows students to establish

a foundation with vision.

When this teacher teaches,

he has a positive attitude,

feels in his element,

and exudes care for students;

he is a gem of a teacher.

YOUNG SOULS

READ ALOUD

Teaching reading and writing

in primary grades

is a great adventurous odyssey.

We find unexpected challenges,

but we have hope;

if we sow the art of reading and writing,

the art will be part of children’s lives,

a meaningful harvest.

Diversity of people in the world

is a wonderful gift;

differences in early primary grades

are to be expected and embraced.

There is sunshine for change and growth

from birth to eight years old,

the most important period

for literacy development.

Martin Luther King had a goal

for racial equality;

teachers have a goal

for reading and writing—optimal development

in children’s social and cultural context.

There’s magic and splendor in teaching,

starting engagement and motivation

toward reading and