Original Poem: Take Me

Today's poem was written rather recently and it came about in a drunken stupor. Or let's say the words were flowing nicely after a few beers. As with the majority of my  poems, it's an emotional, matter of fact poem, that center's on a man's character and the way he views his world. I hope you enjoy this piece! Thanks for reading it...


Take Me

take me as I am
there is no other version
or perfect self
take me for what I say
even if the over-cast sky
produces no rain
take me for what I do
even though I say do as I say
don't do as I do
take me for my actions
and not my constant retractions
you know I'm not perfect
I'm percolating through all the hurt
misinformation and the dirt
it's almost sunrise
and I'm almost out of excuses
take me
in the clouded morning
as fact,
whatever it is I come up with
in my night's calculations
When the sun comes up
believe I said it shines
If my road is riddled with obstacles
imagine them as diamonds
tender to the cut
take me at my word
as a man,
when I say I'll be there
rain or shine
my word is my only currency
in this recovering economy
take me as a friend
or hardened angel
for advice and counsel
one that will pay a visit
or make a timely phone call
take me
with you
wherever you go
even if it's hell or high water
take me there
I work best when pain comes in large doses
my heart is filled with roses
I'll be the one sorting sinners and saints
pitchfork in hand,
negotiating with God
for our way
back to heaven.

(c) Rafael Andrade Garza, April 11, 2013.

'90s Alt.Rock Heroes, Bush @ Siesta Fest San Antonio

At the urging of my good friend V.R., I attended the last night of Siesta Fest 2013 on its heaviest night compiled entirely of popular 1990s hard rock groups Oleander, Filter, and Bush. Since I was added to this nostalgia rock trip last minute, we caught only the tail end of Filter's set, which ended with its most recognizable hit, "Hey Man, Nice Shot" to the delight of the mostly upper 30-something crowd.  I was kinda reluctant to go, since even at their most heightened stage of the '90s, Filter and Bush weren't my favorite rock groups of the time. And to add to my frustration is that the local rock station 99.5 Kiss hasn't updated its rock format since the 90s, so to this day most of Bush's hits still play on constant rotation as if in some kind of radio time warp. My rock taste these days has evolved to include The Black Keys, The Flaming Lips, Minus the Bear and Miike Snow, which this crowd would be hard pressed to recognize. Who were my 90s rock heroes? My walkman back in those days was dominated by Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and The Cure. I didn't catch Filter or Bush back in 90s, so I was seeing them for the first time. But, it was fun to re-visit the some of the radio heavy tunes of my transition from senior year into college, circa 1994-95.. I even caught up with an old friend from high school who I haven't seen in over 20 years. I felt kinda young again last night catching these groups, but then it hit me, these songs are now playing on classic rock stations. By the time Bush took the stage, most of what seemed like 3,000 strong crowd were already lubricated on funnel cakes and with beer in hand. After an extended, Halloween inspired like synth loop, Bush settled into the mild night with a heavy dose of hits from their 1994 album, Sixteen Stone. The crowd followed almost word for word to "Machine Head", "Come Down", "Everything Zen, "Little Things" and "Glycerine". From their "Science of Things" album, Bush roared into "The Chemicals Between Us" and included, "Warm Machine", I'm almost certain, since I didn't jot down the set list.  The only relatively new song in their set was "House  Is On Fire".   Gavin Rossdale and the boys were in great form, sounding exactly note for note as I remembered them. Missing for me, was my favorite song from them, "Letting the Cables Sleep",   Aside from the fact that the local rock station burned Sixteen Stone forever for me, I've come to enjoy Bush's latter albums. Last night it sounded as if Rossdale had embraced his rock past with a fervor and didn't apologize for it. It made me appreciate hearing it live for the first time that it almost sounded fresh. Almost. After a good long hour set, Bush returned with one encore covering The Beatles classic, "Come Together" and it turned out to be quite the unlikely highlight of the evening for me. At night's end, I came to the realization that it was good to re-visit my rock past. Groups like Filter and Bush did pave a lot of the purpose driven rock of my youth that questioned a lot of our times, music that still holds up its value.

_Rafael Andrade Garza, (c) 2013.

below is a music clip of Bush covering, 'Come Together"
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=633236643368676

Original Poem: Strangeland

After taking a breather from this blog, feeling refreshed, I'm going to start submitting a series of original and recently edited poems from my chapbook: "Heart Code".  I updated this poem, from an oldie I had called: "a heavy stone sinks to the bottom of the riverbend" from 2006. It's an introspective poem about personal struggles and in light of my recent obstacles, coming out of a long term relationship and seeking full time work, it seems as though I'm re-visiting this chapter again in my life. I edited the poem, quite recently, and I think it flows much better in this fashion. I hope you enjoy reading it. 

Strangeland

the way you look at me now
is far from the country I knew
I was riddled in blame
my soul once a landscape
 of heavy rain
what you witness now
rivers of my redemption
mirror and surge
upon your rocky eyes
my inner walls
retreat and surrender
you arrived just in time
to witness my heart’s betrayal,
I shall sink in familiar murky waters
Capsized love-
For, I’m neither a boatman nor a captain
I’m caught at the riverbank
immigrant in my own homeland

© Rafael Andrade Garza, 2006.

Original Poem: Band-Aid Heart

From time to time, The Golden Sentence will be featuring poems by Rafael Andrade Garza, but will also allow for other original poetry. This original poem will feature my twin brother Rey Andrade Garza, who's a talented educator and master debater who also dabbles in writing. The following is a recent emotional poem submitted exclusively for this blog.

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."---Henry David Thoreau

Band-Aid Heart

Too many times this Band-aid heart
Lost scores of battles from the start
Every beginning was always the finish
Where hope crosses paths to diminish
Soul and heart near flat line flashes
Lightning spears the night
Blood covered, Peroxide shores
Crushed dreams, tears crashes
Along this lonely island washes
With this patchwork heart
It bleeds, it cuts, it pumps
Seemingly alive by a fragile thread
Ahead, assuredly I travel
the road most traveled
So afraid you might not find me
Just beyond last night's darkened storm
I awaken,
At light's first break
With your love's compass at hand
I map out your horizon
And GPS'd your hearts coordinates
To lay the groundwork
Blueprint this castle in the air
With such silhouetted flair
I'm your ready patient
that only your medicine can cure
patch me up love
this is what I need
I've tried the gauze and the spray
to all the areas
minus the heart
It's not as simple as the touch
you can't see all the hits I've taken
the scores of band-aids
riddled on my bathroom floor
all the cuts I've taken in
you're seeing me wounded
lone last lion
on this desperate kingdom
to you it's golden as the moon
as your heart lays next to mine
not knowing that I'm finished fighting
you will hopefully
peel this last band-aid
right where my last scar used to be
as if the hurt
connected them as silent old friends
but your love sent them off
To perish with your alcohol kisses.

(c) Rey Andrade Garza, April 11, 2013.

Original Poem: Main Event (Charles Bukowski vs. Saul Williams)

I recently re-viewed two films depicting two of my favorite poetic influences. Last week, I introduced my good friend Ronnie to a documentary on Charles Bukowski, "Born Into This" and it re-established my opinion that 'Ole Charles is still the reigning pound for pound poor man's Walt Whitman. Within the same week, I also dusted off my dvd of the docu-drama, SLAM with Saul Williams and it moved me again that of the modern beat poets, Saul isn't a pretender but a contender with the beat greats. Williams's poetic style is  very spiritual and mathematical take while Bukowski's draws on the dark and raw aspects of everyday life. Today, I will be featuring a poem from my vault, illustrating my two poetic heroes going toe to toe. I hope you enjoy it!

Main Event
 

(Charles Bukowski vs. Saul Williams)

 

Break.
peace. love. war.
those are fightin’ words man
one more beer
I’ll take you on
you jab me with the rain
run circles around me
like Sugar Ray Leonard
dazzle me with the stars
I have no room for your metaphors
I’ll uppercut you with brutal truth
straight right with my hardest fight
we take seats
with opposite sides of the lyrical universe
spit in the poetic bucket
Break.
You come with a right (ous) cross
I duck it.
In the center,
we embrace in brotherhood
separate like enemies
in the canon neighborhood
hard left to my body
your beautiful rhyme
gets me every time
Break.
I wonder
who’s the best pound for pound?
your words vs. mine
we roll with the best punches around
you bring spirituality in your corner
I never let my bluebird die out
in this painful life
you bring the best to the bout
to fight the promotion machine
leave no word undone
with these specialties
we battle the injustice, son.

- Rafael Andrade Garza © June 22, 2006

photo courtesy of fineartamerica.com

photo courtesy of borninflames.tumblr.com

Spurs enter 2013 Playoffs Banged Up

photo copyright of Spurs.com

It's no surprise to Spurs fans. This same script has played out the last few seasons almost in the same fashion with the same cast of characters injured. The recipe revolving around the big 3, Duncan, Ginobili and this year it's Tony Parker with an ailing ankle and sore neck and Manu Ginobili with a chronic hamstring. Last year, there was a glimmer of hope as the San Antonio faced Oklahoma City in the NBA Conference Finals. By the time San Antonio disposed of the Clippers in a sweep they were running on fumes. Holding the best record for most of the year and unsuccessfully integrating the youth of Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter in time for the playoffs.  In 2011, Ginobili played with a broken arm in the Memphis series. Tim Duncan hobbled with plantar fasciatis in 2010.  So, as you can see, Spurs fans are hopeful but have seen the team's drive for 5 NBA Championships halted mostly by injury concerns. Will this be the year? For most of this season, the Spurs have held on to the top spot in the Western Conference, only to unravel in the last five contests. With two straight losses to Miami @home with no Lebron or Wade the team played out of sorts and then a subsequent loss to playoff contender Memphis. The Spurs won against a limited Orlando team, followed by a disappointing loss to OKC in a statement game. San Antonio almost faltered in a near loss against a cast of near unknowns in the Atlanta Hawks at home. Giving the Spurs a 2-3 record in that span. It's obvious the Spurs are sputtering at season's end without their best play-maker and facilitator in Tony Parker. The only reason the Spurs have held on to the top spot, simply due to a rejuvenated Tim Duncan. Duncan's averaging an amazing double-double for the season with 17.0 ppg, 10.0 rbg and 2.7 bgp. Tim's playoff tested demeanor has kept the Spurs close in these last 5 games. Another test comes tomorrow as the Spurs face against Denver Nuggets in Denver. Even without Gallinari, who was lost to a recent ACL injury, the Nuggets present tough match up problems because of their swingman flexibility on the perimeter and defense. Coach Pop will rest his main guns in Duncan along with ailing Ginobili and Parker as in years past, but with the hopes that this time he can finally have his unit firing on all cylinders. Especially now that the young talent of Kawhi Leonrad, Tiago Splitter and Danny Green has proven their resolve most of this NBA season and should pay dividends in the 2013 playoffs. Spurs can only hope, cross fingers, and light candles for their hard court heroes.
- Rafael Andrade Garza, (c) April, 2013.

Original Poem: Animal Hearts

From time to time, I will be reviewing poetry, books and even submitting original work. I've been published in a few places, mainly, my work featured at madswirl. com. The link to my poet forum there:

http://www.madswirl.com/content/poetry/Rafael_Andrade_Garza.html

This is an original work and part of a chapbook called, "Heart Code", that I hope to promote here on this blog. Thanks for reading!


Animal Hearts


Heart codes
are desperate messages
left to decipher and distress
Often tracing our language
deep within our soul’s walls
like Ute Petroglyphs
Who carry our hearts
provincial boulders
with the highest reach to the Sun
Crimes against love
are heart thieves
Who try to replace
our history with pain
Our petroglyphs,
not long ago written on dirty diskettes
kisses now stored on cell phones
The way our red ochre lips trace a body
in the new digital age
I long for our animal hearts
to return with prayer inscriptions
carved into sandstone
"Look! Up in the sky!"
We conquered kingdoms
with a single poem
When we started
hunting-gathering
that great fire
When we were left with
charcoal black hearts
marking “X” to send help
and leaving our stories recorded
as we drifted closer and closer
to that grand mystery
Leaving black chalk clues
or a woven God’s eye
Back when our love was elemental
shadow against rock
one with Earth, fire, water and air.

 © Rafael Andrade Garza, 08-09-12

Ute Petroglyphs from Arches National Park, Utah, USA. Image by Michael Thompson © iStockphoto.com.

Catching Civil Twilight at SXSW

Civil Twilight @ Antone's, SXSW, Austin, Texas, photo courtesy of Rey Andrade Garza
 

Having been to SXSW, a few times in recent years, the massive scale of this art, film and music festival gets bigger each year in Austin, Texas. Last year, I didn't get a chance to get a wrist band but still caught Miike Snow at the Lustre Pearl (albeit it was outside but the trip was well worth it) and that made SXSW for me. This year without any luck, my twin brother Rey and I decide to make a last minute trip from San Antonio to Austin, to catch the last night of SXSW 2013. We decided we were going to let the night dictate where and who we would be able to see live. After navigating a sea of people and checking the surroundings, we made our first move. Along, with some a local Austinite and college buddy named Nicholas and his pal Tekon, we bar hopped starting at Darwin's ( a cool British joint) where we saw the breezy group Rooster from California and The Hush Sound an  eclectic Austin band. Then off to the Firehouse Hostel, where I didn't get the name of the group but the beers kept coming. Afterwards, we left to the Geisha Room for some great garage/house with a dj from Michigan. With an hour left, Nicholas decides we should head to the famous Antone's. Having volunteered for SXSW, Nick did have an all access badge, but was the only guy in the group possessing that goldent ticket. The doorman saw that our friend had a badge and let us all in for free. This was my and brother Rey's first time at Antone's and we couldn't believe our luck. A last minute addition to the music slate that night, Antone's added, Civil Twilight, a dynamic four piece rock group from Cape Town, South Africa. Being introduced to their brand of lush rock for the first time, my jaw dropped at the mastery of their sound and vintage rock style. Many have compared their sound to the Muse, early U2 or The Police, but what is hard to argue is the level of their competent rock. Having officially formed in 2005, the group is still evolving its sound and reach. By the end of the night, I was able to secure the setlist, signed by one of the members and given a guitar pick, quite a score considering this trip was not planned. I look foward to see what SXSW has to offer next year, hopefully secure that financially elusive wrist band.

-Rafael Andrade Garza

Click the facebook link below for a musical clip of Civil Twilight at Antone's:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151502530469593