Strange Duality

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / 2 Comments

We come into this world without any major options,

chained, since birth, or rather, since our conception,

to the inheritance brought, in fact, imposed, by our ancestors,

those of our family, in addition to those of the larger family,

the entire humanity to which we belong.

Qualities and defects, virtues and vices, they arrive 

combined in the genes of the new being, and, stealthy,  

they wait to manifest themselves in due time.

Our parents, in the joy and happiness of creating a new life,

are not aware of the dangers that lie on standby;

we know they will do everything to separate the wheat

from the chaff, in the future life that is beginning,

a game whose success, unfortunately, we cannot predict.

Our struggle to build a personality, despite such inheritance,

is arduous and relentless, and none of us can escape it,

we have to polish and perfect this new being and pass it on 

to a future generation, much better than we had received.

Let us strive not to fall into banality, but to play the right game.

May the improvement and purity we acquire not be that

of the physical body, which corrupts and decays, but of the spirit,

which, free and sovereign, under the right and reckless command,

has no limit and never ends. 

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

Other Worlds

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / 2 Comments

Sometimes world conspires against me,

but people ignore that my path,

It has already been marked,

in all its twists and turns,

and in its different times,

with the sign of victory and success,

over everyone and everything.

Those who have been foreseen to engage with me,    

they arrived coated with that fraternal communion,   

which incites forgiveness and understanding,

and precedes the blossoming of love, flame

that ignites and warms all human coexistence.

Destinies that intersect and do not wear out,

and, instead, strengthen each other, just like

so many I have encountered, build joy and happiness,

that radiate and reach, far beyond us, other worlds,

which will be coveting and envying us,

without us even knowing it.    

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

To Whom it may concern

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / Leave a comment

Sometimes I think that, suddenly,

some ghost from my past will resurrect

and appear to torment me.

Who knows, maybe someone will forget he is dead

and will miss the time when he lived.

If that happens, he will get a terrible fright,

because I am no longer that shy, innocent,

and malleable being, which he was accustomed to.

I dare not say that life has hardened my heart,  

it remains affectionate and kind,

has kept its whims and desires,

a heart of flesh, as Our Lord commands.

However, has learned how to avoid

those who disguise and hide their true selves,

indifferent to love, compassion, and empathy,

therefore, unfit for human coexistence.

If they appear, will see, above all,

that are not part of my memories,

because I belong, entirely and well adjusted,

to a new world, where they will have

no shelter, or even will be recognized.  

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

On Speaking of Life’s Journey

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / Leave a comment

I know that wherever I have been,

cities, streets, squares, and corners,

people, days, weeks and years,

troubled seas and faraway lands,

strange beings, friends, and enemies,

casual acquaintances and, mainly,

those I have loved and hated,

I have left not only happy memories,

but also, and in great numbers,

serious inconsistencies, gross errors,

disagreements, doubts, and misunderstandings.

But I am aware that the Supreme Being,

who created everything, including me, has supplied,

since my first day, a Guardian Angel, to protect

and guide around me.    

I am also aware, that, today, so long time passed, He, 

the Creator, is pinning on the chest of this said Angel,

a Medal of Honor, that has been awarded to so few.

It is granted for services rendered with bravery

and courage, for having led me to this date,

unharmed, healthy, respected, even forgiven,   

along with fellow ones I have had to confront,

on this day-to-day of our mutual painful journey.

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

Paths to Follow

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / Leave a comment

I know I am heading towards the unknown,

but, as my equals,

we have no choice.

We must to accept the fact that this world,

just like the destiny mapped out for our lives,

have been made independently of our will,

our desire, much less of supposed intelligence

should we even have had.  

The successes we have achieved on the challenges

throughout our time, have been at a much high level

to our strengths and talents, and, in fact,

we do not know as we have managed to go so far.

In this present time, when we look back, we witness

how hard and painful the journey has been.

Also, we see the immensity of what remains to be accomplished,

for the will and desire we propose continues to challenge us,

and we must to prove, yet and already, with so great a delay,

that we did not just come for pleasure.

We have to carry out the project always dreamed of

by brothers with upright, loving and fraternal hearts,

of that promised land, where flows abundant milk

and honey, and from where evil will be expelled,

defeated, ashamed and humiliated, banished

forever from human society. 

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

Some Truths on the Human’s Pack

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / Leave a comment

Sailing in an unknown Sargasso Sea,

this incredible homeland our remote Creator

granted us as territory;

living with animals that preceded us,

created they were on the fifth day of creation,

and which, older, should have upon us,

due and clear precedence in coexistence;

facing secrets that are hidden from us,

that we still have not been able to decipher,

in everyday life with the territory, as well as

in group life with our peers;

thus, obliged to accept and assume respect,

along with sometimes also forgiveness,

by the differences that always permeate,

and that, in fact, often complete us, making even, 

singularly, some human and peculiar a greatness.  

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

Marked by a Sign

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / 2 Comments

I have been walking world’s corners

and have kept in touch with all of us.

You who always helped me and became my friend,

but there were those who did not understand me,

did not like me, became enemies, opponents.

Among my friends, some gave me much more,

like their entire being, becoming an angel,

protector, guide, even a true lover.

There were those who corrected me, and,

like a father, gave me some understanding

that I lacked.

I intend to consider everyone as a brother,

in this great group that brings together

our entire human race.

A race that has been marked from birth with a sign,

that everyone is responsible for all of their equals.

It is a mark that many of us prefer to forget,

not applying it in our daily lives,

what could differentiate ourselves   

from all other living beings.

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

On Speaking of Spirits

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / Leave a comment

The atmosphere that my spirit breathes,

which provides its sustenance, is so different

than those ones I see, or rather, I feel,      

when I leave my confinement, going out   

to live with my peers.

Mine has been conceived and woven 

since my tender years by my ancestors,

dear unique parents and grandparents.

I have sought to perfect its strength and

quality, as I go, daily, through a destiny   

traced only for me and from which  

I must not, nor do I intend, to deviate.  

It is a spirit that has grown not only

in its happy days, but also perfected

in some dark and strange adversities.

Nowadays, has learned the hard way

to be quite impenetrable to the eyes

of malice and evil.

Has been always grateful, year after year,

to the Greatest Spirit, our Common Creator.     

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©

Strange Complicity

/ Edilson Afonso Ferreira / 2 Comments

On the way to my house there is a Funeral Home.

Very well positioned, at night it turns on its lights,

and if you come in, will be well received, served with

hot coffee, donuts and very good a conversation.

It is most recently opened in my neighborhood,

and is struggling to compete with another one,

older and more traditional.

Its funeral candles are longer

and long-lasting, made 100% paraffin,

high lighting power; its makeup artist,

graduated in Facial and Body Aesthetics.

I am sure they are captivating and pleasing me,

so, every time we reach such a fatal outcome,       

they can count my family as one faithful client.

Then, we do not have to consult yellow pages,

when sad and ghastly hour knocks on our door.

I do not blame them, it is part of their business,

their livelihood.    

I am returning home by the other hand,

thus, avoiding the view of their store.

But I do not shy away from wishing them

a happy business life, humans and accomplices

on the common destiny to which we are all chained.

This poem and all others at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira ©