Adore & Lament

By Francisco A. Ojeda

This is a collection of statements, rhymes, and even a prayer that I have developed over the years. Many of these were from deep feelings and hard experiences, and some were simply what interested me at the moment. It could be primarily said that both love and pain were the most influential emotions in my life, thus the title of this book. Each one had a place in my life, whether to describe joy and happiness or sadness and regret. Being in combat, like that in Iraq in 2006 and 2007, allowed for recollection and remembrance of my life, past and present. This book is a reflection of how the mind of a fifty-year-old sees the world after so many experiences, relationships, wonders, and disappointments.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524581336

Francisco A. Ojeda

Francisco Ojeda arrived in Miami, Florida, from Havana, Cuba, in 1968, and lived in South Florida until graduating from Miami Senior High School in 1985. He is a 27 year veteran with combined services of the United States Army and the Florida Army National Guard, retiring in 2011. He served as a Battalion Operations Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006 to 2007 and as a contractor during Operation Enduring Freedom, while stationed in Afghanistan, from 2012 to 2013. He taught Military Sciences at Broward College in Davie Florida. He has a Political Science degree from Miami Dade College, former Miami Dade Community College, and a Business Management degree from the University of Phoenix. In addition, he earned a Certificate of Project Management in 2012, for which he is currently working in that field. He still lives in South Florida. This is his first published book of poetry.

Book preview

Watcher

Up above and down below

On winds shared with all the crows

Instead of black but full of pale

Wings to travel like a sail

To stand or sit, for just a bit

Taking notes, by sunrise lit

Of all our movements to and fro

And all the things we care to know

On a feather’s pen to write

Patience found to expedite

History taken and all forgiven

Just for us to go on living

From one moment to another

Always in secret and never to bother

To secure our role upon this earth

Since the beginning, from our birth

Friendship

No affection but affirmation

No bonded lust or romance, passions or infatuation, or youthful ecstasy;

yet offered compassion and sincere devotion

Once believed as self appointed guardian and champion,

by the will to serve at no one’s spoken bequest, faithfully and honorably

One bears loneliness for the space needed by another in