Orgullo

Titan spirit in a five foot frame,
she yelled “Adopt me!
We’d be great together.

America, you tossed salad,
I know about the hidden wilted brown bits,
the croutons made damp with tears,
and that the rich dressing can’t always cover up
some of the bad tastes left in your mouth.

But I also know how lucky I am
to be able to stand on your shores
and tell you, ‘I see you and still want to be here’.

I want to add my words to your song.
I want to sing with duende
about an imperfect place
still struggling towards a more perfect union.

I’ll love you in the struggle
dance my part in the center of the storm
and let my words send storms dancing on their own.
I’ll be the sazón in my part of the salad.
We’ll both be the better for it."

Song Choice: My Shot from the play Hamilton


Don't Give Up, Lady Liberty by Chris Blackway
Find Chris Blackway on Instagram @sea_black_prints
More of his art can be found at seablackco.com



orgullo = pride
duende = originally referring to a diminutive goblin or dwarf-like creature in folk stories, it has grown to refer to passionate and/or inspired performance of some artistic endeavor
sazón = it can be translated as seasoning, but there's a bit more to it than that.

This piece is the result of a combination of two prompts: Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads, Artistic Interpretation - Immigrant Portraits and A Dash of Sunny's Prompt Nights, Through the Eyes of a Friend. It is also linked to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #341.

48 comments:

  1. Whistles!!!❤️💘This is absolutely gorgeously penned, Rommy! Such passion and feeling radiates through your poem sigh especially love; "I want to add my words to your song. I want to sing with duende about an imperfect place still struggling towards a more perfect union.I’ll love you in the struggle dance my part in the center of the storm and let my words send storms dancing on their own." Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support❤️💘


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  2. A great poem, Rommy, and I love that final stanza.

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  3. "I’ll be the sazón in my part of the salad."

    Luv the idea of an immigrant bring your special hint of something to add to a place making it so much better

    much love...

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    1. When we all bring what's special to us to the table, we all get nourished from the end result.

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  4. What a yummy, mixed salad of words you tossed to us! I love the tear soaked croutons, the wilted brown bits. This is such a perfect analogy of what America is and how we could make it better. Thank the gods for immigrants that have brought their food, songs, and art to this land!

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    1. Every place has wonderful things to add to the mix.

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  5. Tasty.

    I love how the piece emphasis the importance of togetherness. Separate, the salad offers some unsavory bits. But as a whole, it becomes a delicious meal with music, inspiration and hope in it.

    May we always get sazón.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, together we are greater than the sum of our parts.

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  6. Great message! I can waste or build on the positives

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  7. Gorgeous writing, Rommy. Love that last stanza, and the art work.

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    1. He's local to me. His other work is also really wonderful.

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  8. Perfect words, dear Rommy.
    I love Chris Blackway's image, too.

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    1. I loved that image from when I first saw it.

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  9. Replies
    1. Can't really take credit for it, as its an expression I've heard before.

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  10. I love those hidden bits of the salad, and, especially, the dancing with her in her struggle to find a more inclusive way to be. Loved this poem.

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    1. I think it's a good thing when they all learn to dance together.

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  11. I think the salad is a perfect image... we do need it all... and so much more interesting the world can be.

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  12. I, too, love this. We each contribute to our world in wondrous ways. We need one another to make the whole,,

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  13. superb conceit - the tossed salad ~

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    1. I really can't take any credit for it, as it's something I heard in passing before.

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  14. That is the beauty of living in a multicultural country isn't it? With not only the taste of something different in each other but seasoning or sazón, possibly fire in that happening!

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  15. A mixed salad... excellent! One reason I love to visit NYC - the authentic ethnic food choices :)

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  16. may this multi-hued richness & flavor never leave the country...

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  17. I know about the hidden wilted brown bits,
    the croutons made damp with tears,
    and that the rich dressing can’t always cover up
    some of the bad tastes left in your mouth.... that's cleverly done!

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  18. Loved this even more on second reading.

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  19. Happy Sunday, thanks for dropping by my blog today Rommy

    Much love...

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  20. The salad metaphor is so brilliantly crafted, Rommy!!

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  21. A marvelous analogy. Food for thought (no pun intended!) Well written!

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  22. Really liked the metaphor of America as a tossed salad!

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  23. The salad analogy is so-o-o-o cool. In my experience, When people bring something of themselves when they come together with others, it's a good thing. It nice to be reminded of that.

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  24. I love the wilted brown bits too. Well done.

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  25. I love the image of America as a tossed salad...so many hidden delicacies waiting to be tasted. XXX

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  26. I really love this! Great writing! Big Hugs!

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  27. America as a tossed salad! Love it! And I love the hope!

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