Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Super Bowl XLVII







New Orleans caressed us with
her eyelashes,
inspired us to dream of
things we can't see or touch.
We walked her streets feeling
her charming buildings,
with cast iron balconies,
a melting pot,
a home of great writers,
you can feel the spirits of the past,
in the present.
Colorful people,
colorful beads.
I've had my share of cafe au lait,
with beignets,
at Cafe Du Monde.
I have listened to tales
with my heart open.
New Orleans,
intimate like an old friend,
you visit,
delightful like a new one.
That was years ago,
but never forgotten,
only stored in the attics of my mind
for safekeeping.
Today captures it again,
today,
game day
we wait with anticipation,
sinful foods and drinks and laughter
in the house.
On the field,
festivities unfold,
the Armed Forces Color Guard
presents the flags,
our hearts beat like their drums.
The broadcast takes us to Afghanistan,
true heroes watching with pride.
They sacrifice,
so we can be free,
so we can play this game.
" America the Beautiful" 
Sandy Hook Elementary Chorus,
brings us to tears.
The Star Spangled Banner is
sung beautifully on the field.
We are overcome by emotion,
we weep.
Ravens or 49ers,
 I have listened to their stories
and their struggles.
The road challenging,
stepping stones,
that brought them here,
there are no losers today.
The highs and lows of today will
forever be imprinted on their hearts.
Today a celebration for
them,
for us.

81 comments:

  1. there are no losers today...that would be a good thing...love the trip through new orleans...been a few years since i have been there...what a magical city...i am def thankful as well of those that provide that freedom to us...

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    1. Thank you, Brian :) Beautiful city indeed...

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  2. Yeah no losers is the best way to look at things, also all the respect in the world to those that bring freedom and keep it to ones wing(or at least the freedom those big wigs let us have haha)

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  3. no losers today..love this..love all the emotions in this as well...so honest...the mix of new orleans memories..the things that happened and those that are..

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  4. A study in contrasts, ayala, just the way life is :)

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  5. What a beautiful share Ayala ~ I wish I can visit the city and see its charms ~

    No losers, everyone a winner ~

    Happy Tuesday ~

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    1. I hope one day you will :) Thank you, Grace.

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  6. Ahh, what a beautiful poem. I could almost taste the powdered sugar on top of the beignets. What a lovely tribute to a reborn city and the winner inside all of us. xo

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    1. Thank you, Kristen. The beignets were delicious :)

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  7. For everyone to win. Great thought. AND in New Orleans.

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  8. A part of my heart stays in New Orleans, too... as I think it does for many who have visited/lived there. The Sandy Hook choir was the best part of the night for me.

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  9. Lovely Ayala...I'd love to visit New Orleans...a fab city :)

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  10. Lovely, I remember New Orleans too, like an old friend. Thank you for this capture, it's beautiful.

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  11. Never been to New Orleans. Your poem makes me want to visit.

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    1. I'm glad Myrna..that means I captured her magic :)

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  12. A warm rendering Ayala. Love how you wove this all together.

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  13. Although I still don't know the rules of American football I loved your beautiful tribute. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  14. New Orleans sounds like quite the city. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to visit. In the meantime, I have your poem to show me some of the sights, sounds, smells and flavours of the city and to help me to feel its warm humidity.

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  15. Who knew the Super Bowl could sound so lovely? :) You make me want to visit New Orleans, and yes, there were some great stories of struggle overcome by many of the players out there. I love the sweetness you always bring to the table, Ayala. No one can visit your place without leaving with a smile!

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    1. I loved listening to the stories...and thank you Lori, you are sweet :)

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  16. What a place to be. Super Bowl do not get to see this first hand on the islands. Have to see it from the TV here or maybe go to the beach and connect to see this one. But this is a great description of the city and enjoyed this so much http://gatelesspassage.com/2013/02/02/reflections/

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  17. Always dreamed of going to New Orleans. Unlikely now. I hope it is all well restored after the Katrina disaster.

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    1. Rosemary, I hope you will even if it seems unlikely. Hugs.

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  18. LOVE seeing this (feeling it, living it!) through your eyes!

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  19. would be interesting to see all this one time in my life

    epideictic rhetoric

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  20. so much going on in this piece... the game was good

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  21. so much going on in this piece... the game was good

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  22. New Orleans sounds like a great city to visit from your description! I enjoyed your poetic rendition of SB Sunday! Especially since I did not watch the game! Nicely done.

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  23. and so was the half time show! :) Nice writing!!

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    1. Thank you..and yes the half time show was great :)

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  24. Honestly, I would never have thought anyone could write a beautiful poem about the super bowl, and now look, you have done just that. This is wonderful!

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    1. Kelly, so sweet of you to say..thank you :)

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  25. New Orleans is a special place for me and your poem took me right back there! You did both nola and the game justice! Very nicely done! :)

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  26. What a wonderful take on the Super Bowl and the city if New Orleans.

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  27. you capture the moment and serve the great city well in this! ~ Rose

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  28. civic event well captured, A



    Sending YOU Aloha
    from Honolulu,
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° >
    > < } } ( ° >

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  29. It must have been quite an event, very well reflected in your poem! :)

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  30. i'm not a sports fan, but i do love your poem and the many layers of meanings you got out of the event!

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  31. New Orleans is an enchanting place... and yes, the spirits roam the streets freely. I'm not a big football fan, but I never miss a Superbowl!

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    1. I love the Superbowl..it's a part of tradition :)

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  32. We walked her streets feeling
    her charming buildings,
    with cast iron balconies,
    a melting pot,
    a home of great writers,
    you can feel the spirits of the past,
    in the present.

    Never been to New Orleans, but those lines capture the way I felt about a city I was in recently at the other end of the earth...beautiful and evocative lines.

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  33. Love the notion of no losers. Also, that nostalgic trip thru New Orleans reminded me of how much I love that colorful city...Great write, A!

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  34. I love this poem...and you know that having read my site and my recent love for all things NOLA. Brilliant Ayala!

    Cheers,

    Mark Butkus

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  35. love all the descriptive memory you lavish on New Orleans here. i would love to visit there someday. :)

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  36. I absolutely love the ending. There really is only one team in the grand scheme. :)

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  37. The Sandy Hook children took me by surprise. Their voices, resilient and beautiful, magnified the pendulum of holding on and letting go. I felt chills listening to them.

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  38. Yes, great ending. I have to admit I'm not a football fan, but (millionaires in capris!) but I love your attitude toward it. :o)

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  39. I love new orleans, sounds as though you do too. I hope you loved the "sinful" food.

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