July 26th is National Uncle Day.
To celebrate, I wanted to honor the three uncles that played a pivotal role in my formative years. Tio Elias, Tio Salomon, and Tio Miguel embody the values of unconditional love, wholehearted generosity and unyielding service passed down from their mother, Ana Tulia. Together, they fostered my curiosity of all things Colombia. They took me to museums, farmers markets, artisan markets, and archeological sites (to the dismay of their children who found these excursions to be so boring). Always pointing out the history of our land, culture, and peoples. For this I will be eternally grateful. What follows are three poems written in collaboration with Aliya Segura, a communications major at Columbia College.
Ode to Elias
Keeper of Knowledge
Trees whisper excitedly with each visit
To remind the leaves to greet him
Stems and branches bend in embrace
So they may welcome him
The ground begins to pulse with
Each step on the majestic green patchwork
Like the glaciers and quakes that came before
Pushing him swiftly amongst the valley’s quilt
Rivers rush to his presence
Whoosh
They flow quickly, excitedly
His ears hear the notes rise in a symphony
He steadies his gaze on the water
To calm the river’s pulse
Wind brushes past his shoulder
Acknowledging their beloved son
The air readily enters his nostrils
To fill his lungs, blood, and heart
His palms deep in fertile soil
His fingers clasped onto every deep root
The seeds of knowledge fervently plow into
His heart as he maps out each acre.
Sunlight wraps into his skin, smile, and soul.
Tio Elias, giving a history & geography lesson at the battle site of the Bridge of Boyaca. Elias spent his career working for the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute traveling throughout Colombia documenting soil data to be put in the official maps of the country.
Ode to Salomon
Keeper of Riches
A warm golden twinkle in his eyes
Have you seen them?
Wide and deep with unending gifts
Have you seen them?
A warm golden twinkle in his eyes
You must meet him
Salomon,
Remember his name for his gifts of timeless gems
Abundance of love, charity, and fruitfulness
Emeralds shimmer against the sun
Carefully chosen for those he loves
With each jewel he unites his family
Sharing the wealth of our ancestors
Eucalyptus trees line the roads
Carefully chosen for those he loves.
So they may sleep soundly in his home
Giving the comfort of home
Freshly cut fruit glimmers in the morning sun
Carefully chosen for those he loves.
Bountiful breakfast bowls to great the day.
Offering the fruits of our mother Earth.
Boyaca baskets overflow with abundance
Carefully chosen for his neighbors
Panela, queso, arepas, gulupas, feijoas, pitayas, and more
Spreading the love of a village
A warm golden twinkle in his eyes
Have you seen them?
Wide and deep with unending gifts
Have you seen them?
A warm golden twinkle in his eyes
You now know him
By his gifts of timeless gems
Love, charity, and fruitfulness
Tio Salomon was an emerald miner, cutter, and jeweler. He is happiest when he is shopping at the market and giving treasures or sharing a plate.
Ode to Miguel
Keeper of Fire
Proud Husband, Father,
Tio, brother, and son
The flicker in his eyes burn
Surrounded by family
Shining brighter next to his bride
Eternally devoted
The warmth of his embrace
Envelops like a ruana,
Around his children to keep them safe
Eternally protective
The spark of his laughter
Fans flames of interest
Fostering passions and curiosities
Eternally nurturing
The fire in his heart
Warms the souls of those around him
Setting his example of grace and joy
Eternally loving
Tio Miguel doting on his beloved Dora. He is happiest when he's surrounded by his 9 grandchildren.