"Now the Season Turns," Ōtomo no Yakamochi

Chūnagon Yakamochi by Kanō Tan'yū, 1648

Now the season turns--

autumn breezes become

winter's bitter winds.

To a man alone, the nights

will grow sleeplessly long.

Ōtomo Yakamochi

Poetry Foundation

"Seasons"

Chris Cornell

Man of Steel Soundtrack

"A Human Being Lives Here," Ebony Stewart

Write About Now

John Trudell

"Slam qui touche le coeur..."

Slam Francophonie 2016

"L'homme Parle"  

Unmarked Grave

Incandescent,

Sun-streaked blonde.

Ocean eyes of azure blue-

Illuminating, Alluring,

Burning.

A hearty laugh,

Like the sound of

Roaring winds and waves

A woman-child

Vibrant,

Replenishing barren,

Broken hearts.

Gentle spirit

On a troubled path

Tripping into an abyss

Her silhouette

Fading, diminishing

Dreams all but

Extinguished.

 Irrevocably,

The free-fall ends

Not with a deafening crash

But on a silent, sterile

Stone-cold slab-

A capricious sea of

Solid sand.

  No Exit(*J.P. Sartre, Huis Clos)

  The ephemeral epitaph,

 Of a soul forever lost

In a grave

Unmarked.

"You tell me your life is hopeless..." Erin Hanson

Origami Crane

Erin Hanson

Lalah Hathaway

Alsatian Language in Castroville

Though Alsace is a province of France, the language spoken there and passed down from generation to generation is an unwritten Germanic dialect and similar to the language spoken across the Rhine in Switzerland and Germany. The majority of Alsatian emigrants who came to Castroville during the 19th century were from Haut-Rhin (translation: upper Rhine), the southern section of the province around Mulhouse.  Their dialect is somewhat different from their northern neighbors in Bas-Rhin (translation: Lower Rhine), from Colmar to the Strasbourg area.

Alsatians are amazed when they encounter Castroville Alsatians speaking the same dialect today that their ancestors brought to Texas some six and seven generations ago.  The Alsatian spoken in Castroville has scarcely changed since 1844, except for borrowed English words where there is no Alsatian word.

At present the Castrovillians who converse in Alsatian are the older generation, though a few families still speak the dialect with their children.  The same is true in Alsace as the number grows fewer with each generation.

In an attempt to preserve their native language, Ralph "Blackie" and Annette Tschirhart (both deceased), with the help of their daughter, Connie Tschirhart Balmos, and granddaughter, Cathy Rihn Lester, wrote an Alsatian Dictionary.  First, they wrote a small handbook, and later the 90 page "Wordbuch".  It is a good reference for those trying to learn or write the language. Currently the book is out of print.

From time to time there are classes offered at the Castroville Public Library.  Anyone interested in learning a little Alsatian can join in.   Current Alsatian Club classes, Castroville Alsatian Language.

"La Danse des Canards"

Happy Birthday, my darlin'...

George

If eyes are windows of the spirit,

Your eyes as azure clear blue

As a soothing sea

Drench me with wisdom

If eyes are gateways to the soul

Your eyes, tender and trusting-

Like those of an innocent child,

Hold the keys to my heart.

In your eyes I see hope.

Through your eyes, I find joy

With your eyes, I have love.