Poems by Rufino Colón

THE SOFT ANIMAL IN ME

The soft animal in me Is the one who knows how to love you for being you.

The soft animal in me is the one that barks at the moon just because it’s there.

The soft animal in me likes the smell of freshly cut grass.

The soft animal in me loves the bloom of spring.

Rufino Colón

THE HOLE IN MY HEART

I have a hole in my heart— A self-inflicted hole. Chasing dreams that were Unreachable. Unrealistic love expectations. Trying to be perfect in an imperfect world. Hating myself because no one loved me the way I wanted them to. When all else failed I created my perfection With drugs. Lies! Lies! The devil’s greatest tool, The master of deception. Today, I rejoice That my heart has found the Creator of Love and Truth, And every day I’m reminded that I’m not Him, And it’s all right not to be perfect. Thank you for freeing me from myself.

Rufino Colón

WHAT DO I HATE OR LOVE?

I hate those who hurt people just because they can, like Hitler.

I love those who love for the sake of love, like Gandhi.

Rufino Colón

FIGHTING WITH GOD

I am always fighting with God, even when He is trying to take away something that will do me harm.

When I don’t fight Him, I always win.

When I stopped blaming Him for my HIV and admitted that it was my behavior that got me infected, and not Him, I started living again.

Every day, I thank Him for His mercy and try not to fight Him as much.

To lose to Him is to win!

Rufino Colón

DISEASE!

The first and most lethal disease known to man...

Symptoms: Distrust Hatred Racism Sexism

Some of the effects of these symptoms: War Discrimination Murder Domestic violence Addiction Machismo False pride Deceit People-pleasing Jealousy

Results: Lynching The Holocaust Columbine Virginia Tech

This disease is called FEAR!

Rufino Colón

NIGHTMARE

Run! Run! Guilty one, even though you’re innocent, it doesn’t matter. Run! From the men in the black robes holding the hangman’s noose in one hand and a ball and chain in the other. Run! Until sweat runs dry. The robed ones are angry because New York’s finest didn’t shoot you 18 times as you reached for your wallet or gun you down as you came out of your bachelor party. They are angry that they must soil their prestigious robes chasing the likes of you. So run before you become Lady Day’s strange fruit.

Oh...it was just a bad dream. Thank God!

This time....

Rufino Colón

A CHILD IN BORINQUEN

I remember when I went to Puerto Rico I thought I was in heaven because it was summer all the time and I could play all day.

In the morning, the alarm clock was roosters singing their heavenly machismo.

The smells, oh the smells! Smells of all colors, flower colors, candy colors and one I’ll never forget—the smell of coffee.

At night, I would lay on my back and look up to the sky and it was so black, sparkling with diamonds of all sizes.

I smiled like I knew a secret. Then God winked at me, letting me know that all good things are free.

Rufino Colón