The Bean and Cheese Collection of Poems and Reflections

By M.M. Casanova Jr.

The collection of poems and thoughts for this book comes from a strong motivation to record important people, events, and personal core likes and dislikes. The title of the book comes from my basic lifelong love of bean and cheese tacos wrapped in a hot flour tortilla with picante sauce—a go-to favorite all my adult life. Not exactly the most healthy food menu item, but it gives me joy. The taco, I guess because of my Hispanic roots, has been a part of my life and will be till the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984557919

M.M. Casanova Jr.

M.M. Casanova, Jr. is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He was educated in San Antonio private schools and graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas – Rio Grande , and is a Certified Public Accountant. He currently lives in the Rio Grande Valley with his wife Carmen and they have four children, Manuel III, Andrea, Veronica, and Anissa.

Book preview

LIFE AND FAITH

Mom, I am sorry for not appreciating you more.

As the years go by, the light shines brighter on you.

The picture gets clearer, better focus; thee I adore.

It becomes obvious who you are, why you do what you do.

It is obvious also how stupid I have been all these years; this is true.

I know I have hurt you many, many times.

From the beginning I have caused you pain.

I am not sure how much joy, if any, I have given; I am so blind.

I took your love and care for granted; it was plain.

Your love was truly unconditional; I know now.

Forgive me for my ignorance, my stupidity.

Kids think they know it all; not sure why and how.

You raised me to be independent, think differently.

I am grateful for that, but there was a price, a foul.

I now know how strong you really are.

I bet that came from Grandma; she was strong too.

To bear and raise all the kids by herself, she was a star.

Without support from a spouse, life must have been blue.

Dad, brothers, and I have been blessed

With strong women to care for us,

Protect us, guide us, and tolerate us.

We adore you, Mom; yes, we are truly blessed.

STRENGTH AND HONOR

Dad, I know I have taken your love for granted.

You raised us to be independent and strong.

How do you measure that, the seeds that you planted?

You wanted to send us to good schools to help us along.

You worked hard all your life,

Working thirty-eight years for Uncle Sam,

Now receiving a good pension after all that strife.

Always putting Mom at the top, grateful I am;

She was number one in your life.

In the beginning, we listened to your words.

You told me that my wife was a keeper.

Of course you were right; we were the lovebirds.

I try to put her at the top, my number one, a sleeper.

Dad, now you have become the listener, a great sounding board,

Patient, wise, pensive, righteous, still opinionated.

You have taken care of yourself, thank you, a fine music chord.

You are a treasure in my eyes, my life illuminated.

I am proud to be your son,

Proud to call you Dad.

I have the best dad, all said and done,

The best friend—I have been lucky, Dad.

LOVE AND HOPE

It was a very strange feeling when we had lunch that day.

The sun was out; the summer heat was full.

The Italian restaurant was cool and comfortable; I was okay.

We started talking and laughing. What a day!

And then it happened, a strange sensation.

I have never had this feeling before.

It was an ecstasy feeling; my knees felt weak, elation.

My heart started racing, my body was overcome, nerves were sore

With this feeling of pure joy, pure love galore!

I was completely vulnerable, completely helpless.

I was not me; was it an out-of-body experience?

It lasted for a few