Tradition; Remembrance

Each culture has their traditions that are so ingrained within the very core of who we are individually. And as family.

Tradition; Remembrance 

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

The powdered white flower drifted into the air

like specks of dust from an ancient varnished chair.

She plied and kneeded the mass of dough 

with leathery hands; wrinkled, worn, and old.

Thin round circles cooked till bronzed 

on metal pans wide, aged, and long.

And songs of Spanish filled the very air

with love and joy and kindness and care.

Coriander, onion, chili pepper, and green lime

mixed in a bowl with shrimp; set for a short time.

Menudo in a pot boiling to a rich red broth.

bowls waiting to be filled on tables with white cloth.

Sounds of our laughter and babies cry echo around.

Familial chatter and salacious gossip abound.

Men boast and braggert in machismo enibriation.

While women reminisce of their former liberation.

And as the night draws nigh and the dinner comes to end.

We give prayer to tradition and the moments they transcend.

Author's Note

The pieces of memories revealed in brief images of traditional moments we all share and are haunted by in joyful ways of reminiscence.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I imagine your grandmother baking here for family Carlos. Beautifully penned. I heard the songs, the laughter, chatter and babies crying in a scene of family gathering. Preparation of a special traditional meal. I smelled the herbs and even saw those wrinkled hands kneading the dough. Wonderful treasured memories.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

thank you, Chris, for your review. In most of the things I pen I try to paint the images with words like an artist with colors. I often want the reader to have a visceral experience that can in ways equate to a memory of their own which is similar to the themes I present. We find that some of our most evocative meaningful memories are those which define our cultural traditions growing up as children. If I could elicit the same reminisces within the reader then I have done an adequate job in the writing. Thank you so much for your time and kind words on this work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this reminded me of when I was a kid and really got excited about things, little things...
life was so much simpler then...it really was....and I have a deep appreciate for that and for this poem which brought me back to those days, in my aging mind.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for taking the time to read these words, Jacob. I am there with your thoughts on our memories. Now in my mid 50s I find myself more reflective of these past moments which captured fleetingly the defining qualities of Tradition. How important they were to the understanding of the world around and of those in other cultures. Whose traditions are just as beautiful.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem. My grandfather was born in Mexico City. He could cook. What you described in the poem. He made for us kids daily. He is gone now and I try to cook like him. My food, never as good as his food. Thank you Carlos for sharing the amazing poetry and your memories.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

my grandmother loved to cook and garden. Much of the ingredients she used were directly from her garden. Her pico de gallo salsa was to die for and complimented the homemade tacos, or enchiladas she made from scratch. And every Christmas was a joy to watch her from dusk till dawn make tamales, it was pure tradition in her household. The memories I will never forget. Especially the dancing and guitar playing of my aunts and uncles who played live music deep into the night. I have no doubt your memories are as wonderful as mine are. That is what tradition inspires in us all. Thank you for sharing your wonderful memory of your grandfather.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Carlos.

[Rusk]

This is beautiful. I felt nostalgic about the times when my friends hung out, even though I'm not spanish. Got some beautiful imagery about the spanish culture as well! Also who doesn't love tacos!!? Keep writing

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for reading and the kind review. Food, family, and religion are very strong pillars of the Spanish culture. And I would even go so far as add music as well. It was my hope to capture aspects of the defining qualities in the writing. In doing so perhaps unlock memories from the reader that they remember which culturally defines their traditions. And to this day I can honestly say...no one cooked better tacos then my grandmother hahaha. No one. Thank you so much for the review.