TANGERINS FOR DONATO

  Mandarins for Donato

Every time my brother Donato came to visit we bought fruit for him to take some to the hotel, because for him to eat some fruit at night "cleans me" he said. 

My younger brother had his peculiarities since, like all younger brothers or sisters, they enjoy the pampering of others. Being the most spoiled, their whims were curiosities or celebrated graces, over time they acquire fastidious attitudes or behaviors. There were dishes that he did not eat and my mother prepared others for him, especially despite my father's anger and the envy of his older brothers. But... he was the prettiest one, the nicest one... and the smallest.

We were happy to receive him alone or with his wife and daughters. He was also capricious when he grew up, on one occasion he asked what we wanted him to bring for lunch and Bianca told him that she could bring empanadas that he liked. He brought ravioli that he, for the sauce and another reason, did not eat.

But during the last few years the visits in Italy were very beautiful. During one of those we went to Saint Moritz on a trip of a beautiful alpine landscapes. In another we went to celebrate Christmas in Lugano, in the central square with the big Christmas tree and the food stalls that with the cold is accompanied by hot or alcoholic drinks. We had to go to a closed place, for us street food was very cold. 

 

During the last visits he came to accompany me given with my health problem, so as not to run the risk of falling again he recommended me to place handrails on the stairs, which we did and also recommended me to use a cane, for this we went again to Lugano where there was a pharmacy that sold them. I bought a very cute cherry wood one. 

Since he liked to eat some fruit at night and stayed with Marta his wife in a nearby hotel, I went to the supermarket to buy a selection of fruits for him to choose and take away, since those who travel do not know where there is a fruit shop. On a previous occasion we placed several dishes with fruit on the table. He brought a platter full of tangerines to his place, began to eat and only stopped eating when there was not a single one more left. From that day on with Bianca we knew we had to buy too many tangerines. 

A week ago we went to the Shopping Mall and I have the chore to select fruit, I bought a kilo of tangerines, but when I left I saw a special sample of 2.5Kg boxes of tangerines. So, I bought a box that in case my brother decides to come there is no shortage of tangerines. I know that last year he decided with some sadness to die, but knowing his peculiarities it would not be at all strange that if he finds out that there is a box of special tangerines  and he decides to come. Therefore, if you see him, please tell him that there is a special scented box of tangerines at home for him. 

  PIETRO                                                  

 

Scientists claim that millions of years after humans disappear from the earth, the last to move on will be ants. With this knowledge, we should think about moving to another dimension to continue our experiences, because as Lao Tse says, he who dies and does not perish is eternal.

©PietroGrieco

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IF I DIE or YOU DIE TOMORROW

If I die or you die tomorrow

 

 

If I die or you die tomorrow no one will know

if the windows of heaven or of hades will be opened,

nor whether the balance will be positive, balanced or negative.

The judgment of others will be an enigma out of our hands.

Nothing matters if I die or you die tomorrow,

from enthusiasm for new algorithms or plans from the past.

But let them know that you and I have celebrated life

in my or your melancholic, cheerful or stubborn way.

 

Let them know that I and you have loved trees, flowers,

Dogs and cats, sheep and llamas to the little ones

those creatures that populate this planet

even the woodpecker that pierces trees and bricks

and mice and worms, not forgetting lizards

that cross your land during the intense summer days.

 

 

Let it be known that I have you and have suffered injustices

and the abominations inscribed on me 

and your bones as in the temples.

I forgive them and you forgive them for not 

avoiding them that damage to their soul.

 

Remind them about staying up in the middle of the nights

you and me have contemplated stars and fireflies

and that I and you have spoken to them as lovers.

I ran and you ran through the streets and avenues of this world

to fulfill our obligations and we achieved it.

 

I helped and you tried to help your neighbor

that he was sick, or that he was in prison and homeless

even if we have not always been successful.

 

I and you have not cried over failed loved ones

or losses of goods or investments, but bitterly,

I and you have cried for not being able to be good anymore.

Yes, we cried as the summer rain cries,

for not providing more inspired freshness.

 

I was wrong and you were wrong: we defended the rules 

More that those who need compassion

You and I got angrier than we should have

severe I went and you went with the others

and less with than with me and with you

let them know that I have always searched, and you have 

searched for peace and harmony, whenever you might loss

of foreign and benign beings that you have deplored.

 

Let them know they loved you and me

more than expected and whether my heart or yours

takes something from this world it is gratitude

for having set foot on this earth with the devotion of the blessed.

 

Maybe I didn't realize or you didn't realize

of the sacredness of the sea, of the rivers

of stones, of forests, of animals, fish

and winged beings. All that

whom primitive tribes worshiped with reverence. Perhaps

those beings were not so ignorant or so banal

without much technique they possessed that wisdom

background of the universe.

The wisdom that is called upon when all is lost.

I know because I have and you have had needs

to return to drinking from the original sources.

 

If there is something I can and you can leave

 it is a memory that the universe can sing order or chaos, 

but it sings, sings and sings 

for those who know how to listen to that symphony

without prejudice to other kingdoms. It was pure bliss 

to be able to pass between autumns and springs

without neglecting winters and summers.

 

It was right to avoid evil, do good, and also love

the ugly, since loving is what matters, for a meaning

beyond what we discern.

 

If I die or you die tomorrow know that it is possible repent

of glories and punishments of memories and forgetfulness

even of all the events that occurred, but never

never of sunny days, those open to life, those

complete with joy, those who compensate for all

horrors and errors. In the end, if I die or you die tomorrow

Know this: be happy and laugh today

It is an effort always worthwhile!

Pietro

©Pietro Grieco

 

                                                    

COSMIC PROVERBS

 PURPOSE

Moving with purpose avoids going adrift.

Great ambitions don't skip small steps, they need them.

The space Argonaut will not seek the Golden Fleece, nor the Holy Grail, he will seek his cosmic destiny.

Some individuals know where they are going;

others just run behind.

      Everything good is worth the effort.

A sensible law must foresee the social, economic, environmental and cosmic consequences.

You are not rewarded for what you think you know, but for what you can prove.

Responsibility can be stressful or invigorating; it is a personal choice.

The cosmic individual will be able to move in different planetary times, but his mind will be centered in precise cosmic times.

Opportunities do not depend on luck; they are created by hard work.

A talent not used or abused is lost.

Places and activities do not define our destiny or our being.

With the vision fixed on the goal, we enjoy every step of our journey.

Anger can lead to defeat faster than a superior enemy.

When your principles are aligned, all areas of your life are ordered.

Favorable circumstances always exist, but we have to produce opportunities ourselves.

Even the worst failure can turn into a great success.

©Pietro Grieco