On Speaking of Inheritance

We live daily connected to the virtues,

but also, unfortunately, to the errors and failings 

of our ancestors.

We are, still, a consequence of all those who once lived,

our ancestors or not,  

brothers as they had been in our common human race.

We are sure that those who preceded us will be in eternity,

to which we are all condemned.   

Some in rejoicing and peace, others penalized and repentant.

Let us not forget that, at this moment, we are a generation

that is representing all of our people, saint and sinner,

who have inhabited this solitary planet, in a gigantic world.

Let each of us have the integrity and a clear conscience,

that we are directly responsible for the health and happiness

of all those who will succeed us.

They will be children who will be subject

to the legacy we are building.    

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

Missed Deadline

My wife subscribes to a monthly women’s magazine, which she always reads assiduously as soon as she receives it. In the last one, she learned about a writing contest for mothers, sharing her experiences, discussing how they cope with the day-to-day life of motherhood, and what they think about.

It is a nationally circulated magazine, and she knows there will be so many submissions, mainly for the prize, a valuable 18-carat solitaire diamond ring in white gold.

“Oh”, she exclaimed, “I will write, and that ring will be mine absolutely”. Naturally, I supported and encouraged, knowing how high her literary talents and her maternal and familial love.

She promptly began to work, as the deadline for submissions was relatively near to be closed.

Then our youngest son fell ill, suffering from a fever and a sore throat, which forced her to devote more time to him.

As soon as he recovered, our maid had family problems and missed a week of work, which left her quite busy.

But she did not give up, saying, “These are problems I’ll tell about and will give me more substance to my narrative, in addition to the great love I always dedicate to our two children”.

So, she went back to writing the maternal testimony, which finally reached its conclusion.  She asked me to read it, and I said nothing but praise.

However, as she prepared to send it, she simply cried because, unfortunately, the deadline had passed the day before.

I know the failure of the task she had set for herself had been enormous.

I always know there will be a woman wearing, inappropriately and undeservedly, one 18-karat white gold solitaire ring.     

This non-fiction and all other works at this blog, authored by Edilson Afonso Ferreira, ©

Glimpse

They do not know how many times I fell to the ground,

how hard it was to get back up and how long

it took to heal my wounds.

Nor will they know about my injured soul,

and the scars that were left in it,

many of them deep and painful.

There were setbacks and disagreements 

threw by enemies and by unwary people,

heartless ones and devoid of feeling.

Really, they set out to hinder 

my passage through this world.

But they must know they are not stopping me

from continuing steadfast and serene the walk

that destiny has imposed on me.

Today I can already glimpse my triumphant arrival

at the end of my journey,

contradicting those who opposed this day,

and confirming faith and hope with which

I have clothed myself.

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