Accordingly, I've decided to post more of my thoughts on Portland here on PDXme, rather than going through the lengths of investigative reporting for each post. Hopefully it'll enliven some sort of discussion, posted or otherwise. But then again, one can't ask for too much this Christmas. Look what happened to Packy.

"Packy," one of Portland's asian elephants, before here demise. Photo: Daniel Ronan

"Packy" the largest asian elephant of the United States, in her restructured form. Photo: Willamette Week

In the class we focused on analyzing the poetry of Spanish urban poets of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. At the end of reading all that poetry, I was left with an urge to write poetry in the likes of the Spanish masters, José Martí and Federico García Lorca about my love of Portland.

So I put my fingers to the keys and let the passions flow:

Me - My City or City I Yearn (Choose the title you like!)

Big Ramp, Big Pink, Big Sky

I grip a city I yearn.

A city that I cannot read about,

But I can feel it.

I can’t live it,

But I can envision it.

I can’t demand it,

I can only dream.

I can’t work for it,

I can only think.

And believe.

I grip a city I yearn.

A city that is me.

Over the past year I have had some changes in my life that have been, at times, hard to adjust to. What has comforted me tremendously is my love for Portland, the memories and connections I have had and the dreams and aspirations I hold for its future. In a way, I have personified Portland in my own likeness. This reflection has worked to strengthen my bond with this place I call home.

No matter where I am around the world, in the southern hemisphere or a train's ride away, I know it’ll always be here. I will always know myself, and I will always have a home. And damn it if that isn’t what your hometown should be – a place where you feel yourself. The fact that I can’t come up with a suitable title for my poetic ponderings leaves me to think that Portland will accept me for whoever I am, and so too must I accept myself.

Now onto the more uplifting poetry written on March 23rd. Think what you will:

Train Stops

The Streetcar dead ends before new South Waterfront development.

On so many trains I would like to ride, with you.

So let’s ditch the car and parking and just ride.

So many tickets to buy, schedules to check, but every moment will be with you.

No more fleeting stoplights to wait for your caring eyes,

Heaven knows, many have died that way.

All we need are our backpacks and wallets.

And maybe a packed lunch, but you and me, we’re taking all the stops.

Tickets

If tickets had a price, I’d buy them, but they don’t take Martian dollars, so I am at loss. Train hopping I go.

Alas, this is just the start of my poetic madness, keep it here on the PDXpoesy page to check out my other poems. Send your own PDXpoesy and get it featured on PDXme! Be sure to include the date you wrote it. Out-of-Portland submissions are, of course, accepted!