Dig A Hole, Fill It Up -- Or Write Haiku

Manuel Ramos




Throw out the old, ring in the new. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is acutely aware of the ebb and flow of time as 2007 slips away. Time for reflection, for re-organizing, for making new plans and scrapping old projects. Donate those sweaters not worn in years; go through the piles of books in the corners and make hard decisions about the ones that will never be read; scratch out a list of things to do in 2008, places to see, people to visit. Then the important stuff: where am I and how did I get here?

Maybe it’s not just that the new year approaches. Maybe these thoughts occupy me because of the music I’ve been playing. Or maybe I play this music because it is the end of the year?

This Time by Los Lobos:
Why do the days
Go by so fast
If only time
Was built to last.

Precious Time by Van Morrison from his Back on Top CD:
Precious time is slipping away
But you’re only king for a day
It doesn’t matter to which god you pray
Precious time is slipping away.

Bob Dylan got in the act, of course (Not Dark Yet):
Shadows are falling and I've been here all day
It's too hot to sleep time is running away
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't heal
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.

And there's no way I'm going to chance Puño de Tierra.


It’s all about time, lack of time, time will tell, time is on my side, time after time -- time out.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí

I hung my 2008 Chicano Art Calendar (Amber Lotus Publishing) and it looks great. The artists include Santiago Pérez and his magnificent First Aztec on the Moon, a piece that impressed me years ago when I viewed his work at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque; Malaquías Montoya’s powerful Trabajo y así transformo el mundo; Our Lady of Guadaliberty by Nephtalí De Léon; and several other amazing Chicano and Chicana artists. But, the real reason this calendar was on my wish list is because Carlos Frésquez is featured. His dynamic A Westside Wedding stands in for June, naturally. Carlos is an old friend and this painting evokes deep emotions in anyone familiar with the lore and mythology of Denver’s Westside, and for those who don’t know the stories, Carlos’s work is still very cool.

So, how about some nostalgic end of year or New Year celebration haiku? La Bloga would love to see your efforts. Here’s one to get you started; I know you can do better.

I stare at the clock
Round face ignores the question
Tick tock says it all.

Have a great 2008.

As always,

Later.