You stir the strongest feelings
whenever you come my way.
You are the sunshine for me
even on the cloudiest day.
You bring a special sort of joy
no matter how I feel
and explode my senses
beyond the point of real.
You are the reason I function
with determination to succeed.
For thru all the pitfalls of life
You are the one I need.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
She aches to know happiness
as troubling tides arise
and I bet she will one day
to her prayerful surprise.
Happiness shows its bloom
in forms returning again.
Not only in the opening rose
but in the softness of the rain.
Those little waves stumbling
thru the soul with delight
actually reaching the spot
are blooms on a starry night.
Sadness will be gathered
called out by its very name.
In the mirror of life
most reflections are the same.
We look past details
craving for what's brand new.
Often times missing so much
letting happiness pass right thru.
Have you ever looked;
keenly viewing the starry skies.
Might they be from God's face
you're seeing twinkles from his eyes.
Wipe those frowns from your face
take a hard look at what you've got.
The Nightingale, chanting divinely!
Certainly, every rose reaching the spot.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
All week long hear today's pop
tunes just marking time.
Seems endless, won't stop
but not quite the songs of mine.
Can't wait till Saturday
my time for songs I love.
Others get their picks each day
Saturday the music comes from above.
Rythmn and Blues time, all day long
as I clean and cook my time away.
Hour after hour words to a song
remind me of a gone by day.
Shake it to the left then to the right
feather duster swings up and down.
Pledge on the furniture to its delight
as the dust rages go round and round.
A little glass cleaner on the mirror,streaks
I could care less than a damn.
As the music play, reaching peaks
my feet stomps with the drum beat. Bam!
Pinto beans and neck bones rattling in the pot.
Oversized meat loaf sizzling in th e oven.
Macoroni with three cheeses, piping hot.
Songs in the background speaking bout lovin.
Legs get all tangle, senses start to rise.
Done cleaned the house twice before I knew it
probabbly cooked more food before I realize
but on Saturday can never say I blew it.
Sing me a love song Sam Cook
and you too smokey Robinson
while Smokey builds a castle to the sky
Ray Charles talks about her as if her looked
Sade' sings so good and pleasing to the eye.
James Brown is beggin Please, Please, Please
BB King is talking thru Lucille
rythm and Blues puts the soul at ease
lets the mind relax, peace be still.
By the coming days end
Soul is renewed, ready for the week.
Can face what ever they got to send
its Saturday's Rythm and Blues I seek.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Let me sing them down home blues
Delta's theme from heart ache and pain.
when I hear them blues, baby, I get
sunshine even thru down pours of rain.
I can walk a many mile
to find the music passion I chooe.
Hey yaw'll I gotta git up and holla
just let me sing them down home blues.
Harmonica out of the case
blowing a little scat-n-run.
Finger popping so loud
think somebody shot off a gun.
Damn Ma'ma, see ya up and shaking
rocking to the down home beat.
Everybody up clappin their hands;
can't a soul stay in their seat.
Let me sing some of history's songs
cram in some for all to use.
Delta's theme from heart ache and pain
just let me sing some down home blues.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Can she rise again? Tis not the question.
When, seems more like the proper stance.
Too much to lose or leave behind;
far too much history and romance.
We love the quaint cafes, the secrets
hidden behind many half closed doors.
The Big Easy, her quality stands firm;
blues and Mardi Gras oozing from her pours.
me thinks her skirts will not drag for long
and all the mud stains will be washed away.
Sweet southern lady, gumbo of the south.
Magnolia -honey air, will rise again one day.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Allow Me/Grant Me
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Naia, September 2005
Allow my dedication
my devotion to your heart.
Allow my cravings
which arose from the start.
Grant me the cool
of thy voice, whispered low
that I may savor
thy words as they flow
Allow my caresses
the churning needs I have.
Allow tender touches
to your body like a salve.
Grant me the soft
of thine hands on my skin
that I may partake
of thy soothe, yang to yin
Allow my kisses
to draw you right in
to remind you of places
you've never ever been.
Grant me the fire
of thy lips' fervent graze
that I may tremble
at thine hunger ablaze
Allow my strummings
to raise your body's desire.
Allow my loving
to set your soul on fire.
Grant me the pace
of thy eagerness rising
that I may linger
in thy windswept sighing
Allow my sensations
to touch your body's pleasure
and bring on sensations
beyond your wildest measure.
Grant me the depth
of thy breath drawn in slowly
that I may forever
thy love keep as holy
Allow me to trigger
your most inner needs
as I'm learning to love you
just one of my pleads.
Grant me the pulse
of thy blood as it flows
that I may return love
to the one who bestows
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Naia, September 2005
Thoughts drift your way
as much as I can allow
yet images of you arise
thru that maze somehow.
Clearly there's a connect to
at least a power of ten
cause when they are 'bout to fade
refocus all over again.
Thoughts drift your way
and thrill my inner self.
Emotions reappear, even ones
on the back of the shelf.
The managerie of feelings
choke off all reasoning.
Spicing the stew of thought
just like some erotic seasoning.
The way they make me feel
like sipping from a savored drink.
A hearty serving of flavors
each time I chance to think.
No less than intoxicating
those thoughts adrift your way.
As I intend to remain a gentleman
not one detail might I say.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Clout?
Who lends needles
to stitch this tattered day.
Who rattles beads
in a special healing way.
Where is the voodoo
the striking magic stick
the candle we all need
to burn a righteous wick.
Who, in breathess quiet command
takes the lead in stepping out
to reach those lost by nature's fury.
Who, indeed, has the clout?
Del Cano 2005 Sept.
Their Grief Stains
Their grief stains
the snow white leather of me
and adds a crimson hue
to distant concerns for thee.
I stumble on my thoughts
in wondering what to feel
and question deep within
if this tragedy were real.
Within the depth, the crevices
my heart searches for a way
to align a comfort zone
for those suffering so today.
The loss, the tragedy
families swamped in pains;
homes gone, washed away
oh, how their grief so stains.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
This Day, Years Ago
Oh, this day seems to touch
so many of my hidden feelings.
Laying open some of the layers
as tho I was a fruit with peelings.
It scratched deep enough
to pull up scars of yesterday.
Still leaving me breathless
with many things I could say.
On this day I relive
the horrors and so much pain.
Perhaps that's why it was locked away
hoping I'd not revisit it again.
A decade passed quickly
while I kept my mind away.
Knowing sometime in the future
I'd recall the events of this day.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
She cried out in pain
tho hunger racked her brain
her children still missing
no mom for hugs and kissing.
trips to the dome each day
seeking signs what others say
where are her children now
churning insides scream and howl
So much just washed away
normal life seems a distant day
the storm floated in on them
all she depends on now is "HIM"
Where did her children go
does anyone really know?
the situation is driving her insane
as she cries out in pain.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
You call me refugee?
I served your meals
washed your clothes
lotioned your babies heels.
And with them pennies
I bought myself a house.
My floors as clean as yours
you know I aint no louse.
You call me refugee?
I didn't make that dam spill
water ran over the city
just like it had its own will.
That water washed away my house
aint no money for me to run.
You left three days 'fore the storm
totting your suitcase and a gun.
How can you call me refugee
cause I got stuck in the city.
No food, couldn't afford gasoline
and you look at me with pity.
You danced to my music
shuffled in and bought me a drink
but when that storm bout to come
you gone quick as a wink.
Now you casll me refugee
cause I got sent up north.
All I owned wiped out, gone
gotta make a new start.
Pardon me, but I aint no refugee
I washed and scrubbed floors.
Believed in working. I'm free
from seas to the other shores.
My belly hungers,I'm thirsty still
call me what you like or see
but don't you dare label me
anything like a new refugee.
This here land we share
or so I thought we did.
You upped and gone
or maybe you just hid.
A state line is not a border
nor a place to hide from me.
I crossed them lines too
yet you call me refugee.
I wonder everyday now
and pray you'll someday see.
I spent my whole life working
so why you call me refugee?
Written from the words of my Aunt Evelyn. An 80+ year
old displaced resident from the horrors of the hurricane
and ruptured levee. Tho she has lost everything one of
her most disgusting feelings is that she is being called a
refugee in her own country.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Still feel the heat you radiate
tho a transition is in play.
The evening air is crisp
saying Autumn is on its way.
Summer shines her rays
lingering like an oven at noon.
Still it can't stop the inevitable
Fall will be here soon.
The last of the swimming,
leaves will change their hue
and grass needing to be cut
a transition as if all on cue.
I am milking each day
tho I look forward to the change.
No sweating or air conditioning
a less heated temperature range.
Oh Summer Time, you smile
as you seem about to nap
till next year after Spring
snow melting from mountain caps.
Summertime passes on
awaiting much cooler days
till next year approaches
with its hot and charring ways.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
My body awakens
with the nearness of you.
It strikes a pose
with anything you do.
My body yearns for
a touch of your hand
and stirs to a maximum
with all it can stand.
Each caress swells
and rises to enflate.
Coupled with a kiss
you always satiate.
My body awakens
with knowledge of you there
and always strikes a smile
cause you bring love to the air.
Del Cano 2005 Sept
Oh Lord, heal the land
and lives all torn apart.
Hear prayers of the many
needing you, restore their hearts.
We are just so worn
lost to a natural degree.
No where else to turn
Oh Lord, hear my plea.
This is in response to Libragem's entry of the same name in her journal. Lots of questions I hope to address. http://journals.aol.com/libragem007/JournallyYours/entries/826
How ironic I am up at the same time. Woke up feeling overwhelmed yet always planning the next step so things will go more smoothly. I am preparing a rental house to be livable so I can get Judy and I in it together to have some semblance of family life while our home is being repaired to a livable state. Your questions: "what do you wish others would do to you (take that out, 
SPENCER'S COMMENTS: When we suffer the loss of a loved one or finds one to have a serious or terminal illness or a long term debilatating illness I find some common desires I wish of others. To me, first and foremost, please do not offer help if you really do not mean it. You may have spoken out of pity or feelings of helplessness and the offer rolled from your tongue as a bit of chit chat which came from that awkward feeling. Being helpful might include:
- Look us in the eye. We are not lepers trying to steal from you or spread some unholy disease or illness. We are/were normal happy people who became ill or crippled.
-Running errands for me. Once the home health aid has gone for the day Judy's health condition might be in such a delicate state that I can't risk leaving her alone. Even to the point that the doctor called in a prescription it might be too tenuous for me to leave even for a few minutes. I have to be creative and imaginative at times to make things work. Call a taxicab or order a pizza and have the delivery person stop by the pharmacy on the way with the food. I may have already eaten and don't want a pizza.
- Cook a meal and bring it. Send a pizza. Have a meal delivered. This provides relief of sorts no matter what the life changing event might be.
- Be a willing listener. Often we just need to vent and get the traumatic feelings out. No arguments, no judgements, just listen. Often, tho many others live with similar situations, feelings as if we are the only ones who are experiencing this swell up inside.
- Be a friend not a distant former friend. Don't allow your embarrassment or feelings of pity to cause you to be distant.
- Do not pity me. Pity is indicative of lack of understanding and adds nothing to a relationship. The ill person as well as their care taker need to feel they are being bold, brave and progressive and pity only stems that growth and progress because it is like a mirror. It is as if one is being told they are so helpless or so sick there just is no hope. No one can live comfortably with out hope. Hope gives us something to look forward to. Hope allows us to establish and attain goals. No matter how small they may seem to others. We must reach goals to feel we are making progress. We don't need your pity to kill our hope.
- Give 'em a little brake. We all need a little private time. Perhaps to go sit in the park. Take a ride. Window shopping. To go fishing. To take a walk. We all need some private time away from the ill person, the new baby or what ever. So, in your thoughts of help be willing to sit for awhile to allow the care giver some time.
- Be dependable! Do not promise to do something and not do it. Both the ill person and their care giver are always emotionally charged and disappointments, no matter how small they seem to others, are traumatic to them. It may have been days since they needed to do something or to run an errand and your promise to do it is always a welcome relief and an appreciated act. Be dependable. Your promise to do it might have been the highlight of an otherwise dull or sad day. Your failure to fulfill your promise is just as depressive and maybe moreso. It might be a trigger to cause a deeper depressive state. If you dont mean it don't offer.
- Call just to say, "I was thinking about you." We so often feel alone against the world because our lives are not normal as compared to others. Can't just up and go out with friends, shopping or to sporting events with family or friends. It takes planning.
- Think about it before you act it or give it. Consider that the care giver and the ill person must do lots of planning before doing what you do as a matter of fact. I recently had to speak unpleasantly with an acquaintance who thought they were being thoughtful and helpful. He gave us a gift certificate weeks ago to a restuarant he enjoyed. Yet, when I called the eatery, I found out the restroom was on the second floor level and the wheel chair ramp was in the rear thru an alley making it not conducive for me to take her there to eat. He called with a frustrated attitude because to him he felt I was snobbing his good will when in fact there was no way we could use his gift certificate at that place. He had purchased it on his charge and it would not get posted until it was used. He meant well but never considered a simple thing like where is the restroom located which most of us don't need to consider.
- Yes, you can always ask, "How AreYOU". Please do. It allows a little feeling that someone cares. We feel so isolated at times.
- Don't be intimidated by health equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, canes, potty chairs, ramps, oxygen or the like. All these items make life easier for the ill person and their care giver. It may seem to you the house is like a hospital room but we live here and anything which helps us is good. It might be a little inconvenient to you. You are a temporary visitor. We are here all the time.
- If you find something to complain about maybe you can help solve it. A neighbor noticed my grass was longer than normal so one day when I returned from work he had cut the grass. And we have a huge yard. He knew Judy had been having increased breathing trouble lately and figured I was too tired to deal with the yard. He was right.
Finally, IT IS NEVER INTRUSIVE TO OFFER HELP BUT DO IT. HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED. ASK IF YOU REALLY WISH TO KNOW WHAT HELP IS NEEDED.
Gem, I appreciate the inquiry you wrote here and I hope my comments are helpful to you and allow a peep inside the world in which we live with major illness. It is always a draining event, a lonesome type situation, full of emotional highs and lows and any and all help is always appreciated. I use my lonesome time to spread as much love thru poetry as I can while she is asleep or in a state of non presence.
Thank you for thinking about those of us who live in different worlds from you.
Be blessed.
Spencer -
