I Wonder if You Will Ponder?
A collection of poems
by
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“I wonder if you will
ponder?’
I wonder how many days must
there go by without any peace?
Or people at ease,
Especially in the Middle East?
When will the fighting cease?
Man, so many unnecessarily deceased
We all try to be good to one
another
But often times only bring grief to our mothers
I wonder why all the
murders?
Whether it was 2pac or Biggie, JFK, MLK, or Gandhi
Haven’t we learned how not to be?
These people lost their lives trying to get us to see
Of a better dream
That was meant for you and me
All the hommies from around
the block who try to do good deep down?
But with all the peer pressure around
If they tried to do good, they would never live it down
or be left to be called clowns
I wonder where is the
justice?
A kid from around the block who minded his own
But to show you of the evil of people be known
Was attacked by three men grown,
Who showed him no mercy as they broke his bones
Just to be known
What a crazy people who will ultimately reap what they’ve sewn
I wonder if compassion has
ears to hear?
I would tell it that this society screams for a better reality
That if we don’t change, will only lead to live a life of brutality
It is my wish that we see and agree to believe,
THEN more importantly fight to achieve
Only then will there be relief
I wonder if you will ponder?
“Love in Corinthians”
I Corinthians 13:8 says,
“Love never fails.”
So it’ll get there
Even if it’s late
At any rate
Don’t be in anguish or build up your hate
Because before you know it there’ll be your mate
Do you understand what I’ saying or can’t you relate?
If that’s the case my brother or sister then build up your faith
Another verse in the book of
Corinthians
Will speak of the love like for instance
So open you ears and be ready to listen
Cuz’ when you hear it, there’ll be no more need for division
Let me see what I’m thinking-- or is there need for revision?
Oh that’s right, I Corinthians 13:4 says if, “I have faith, so I
Could move mountains but have not love,
Then I am nothing.”
Keep this small message
wherever you go
Because that’s what St. Paul wished us to know
And then when your courting you’ll know where to row
Love is essential and not superficial
So put in your mind to reach cloud nine
Through these few love lines
Inspired from
The divine
March 2, 2003
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About the Book
Some of the individuals that have impacted my life,
world perspective, and whose message is seen in my writings are people like
Thoreau, Cornel West, Chekhov, Langston Hughes, Octavio Paz, Pablo Neruda,
Gandhi, Socrates, MLK Jr. and most importantly everyday people. In my writings, I have attempted to capture
some of my most profound experiences about society, life and love. Some of the central themes that the reader
will encounter in the following pages are things like love, pain, hope,
relationships, trust, fear, justice, equality, and unity. Moreover, I want to show readers, as Maya
Angelou has expressed throughout the years that, “We” really “...are more alike
than not alike.” I think that that’s
the grand calling of a socially conscious poet. The aim and goal of this book is to send a message, to expose the
thoughts of a particular American of Mexican descent, from Santa Maria, CA, who
held not back but actually laid bare his truest feelings, right or wrong, for
all to read, examine, critique, and hopefully make existential connections in
their lives. If that is achieved, then
the late nights writing were not in vain.
About the Author
Rudy Calderón was born in the metropolis of Los
Angeles, CA in December of 1974. He is
the sixth of eight children and a first generation Mexican-American. His family moved to Santa Maria, CA as
migrant workers to pick strawberries, lettuce, and squash, where they finally
settled and have since remained. Rudy
attended most of the elementary schools in Santa Maria and later attended El
Camino Jr. High School. He went on to
graduate from Santa Maria High School and then attended Allan Hancock
College. He, then, transferred to Cal
State University, Bakersfield, where he was deeply empowered by the history,
philosophy and political science departments.
He graduated in 2001 (Cum Laude) with a major in history and minor in
political science. After graduation, he
returned to Santa Maria, where he enrolled and received his California teaching
credential and masters degree in the field of education from Chapman
University. Email:
rcal67@hotmail.com