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Colombiana

I met her in a place where my body

and mind were tested to its core. She

embodied the essence of life itself.

You could see it in her eyes and hear it

in her voice.  Every day she amazed me,

waking up with so much energy.  I

woke up every day cursing it to

hell.  I longed for my home and when it was

time, we all said our good-byes, along with

a floating “Keep in touch.”  Life rolled on and

contact was kept. Off to Japan, she went.

Following dreams of places unseen and

ultimately, falling in love.  At her

reception we said, “Congratulations!”

The years flew by.  Then the call that her heart

had been broken by the one she loved.  So

far away, I couldn’t embrace or find

the right words.  Instead, I stumbled upon

a silver heart necklace with a design

of a band-aid placed in the center and

etched in the back a single word, Heal.  It

was perfect.  With love and friendship, I sent

it.  The years have passed from the moment we

met, fifteen to be exact, and contact

has been kept.  When she calls, her hello alone

can wake up your entire soul.  I’m glad

she’s in my world and I’m in hers.

Let’s keep in touch forever.

– Angelica Mercado

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Hello everybody!

I hope you guys are well.

The poem above is about an unlikely friendship between a pessimist (me) and an optimist (my friend).  Still, we thrived and genuinely enjoyed talking and visiting each other throughout the years.  I was born and raised in New York City, but my heritage is that of Puerto Rican descent.  My friend, Leticia, was also born here, but her heritage is that of Colombian descent.  We met at basic training in the ARMY back in 1997 and I will never forget how proud she was to be a Colombiana.  In the Army, we weren’t that close of friends because there were many in our group, but afterwards our long distance friendship grew into something that I cherish very much to this day.  I can easily describe Leticia as someone who lives life with complete passion and unwavering determination, plus she does it all with a fearless attitude.  She’s a great inspiration and I honestly look up to her.

Take good care all.

Until next time…

P.S.  I would like to give a shout out to Cristian Mihai at www.cristianmihai.net because I took his words, “To just write,” to heart and that’s what I’ve been feeling lately.  I’ve been wanting to write and so I have.  Thanks Cristian and the best of luck to you.  Take care!