Yin Yang

Ying is Ying. Yang is yang. Ying is always with Yang. Yang is always with Ying.

Everybody knows that.

That is what Yin Yang looks like.

Everybody knows that.

noun, (used with a singular or plural verb)
1.
(in Chinese philosophy and religion) two principles, one negative, dark, and feminine (yin) and one positive, bright, and masculine (yang) whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things.

That is the definition of Yin Yang.

Everybody knows that.

What they don’t know is that there is another meaning. A meaning that comes in the form of a dog.

Yin is happy all the time.
She is never down.
Though only a month old.
Her story yet to be told, she prances all around.
And she never ever frowns.
She especially loves a game of race, even with her tiny legs.
She climbs step by step, for a puppy, the best.
And always wins some praise.

Now Yang is a different creature.
Sometimes surly, and cruel.
If she doesn’t like what you are doing.
She will simply wine and pout.
If she is very angry, it sometimes turns to a shout.
But in the end, she calms down.
And then her anger drowns.

Out steps a different kind of Yang, a mischievous one at that.
She steps into your room for a cuddle, the steals your hat.
This Yang also pees on the carpet.
And hides in your bag of clothes.
She eats your cake.
That your mom baked.
She blames it on the cat.
But the pink face gives it away at that!

Yin and Yang are so different you couldn’t tell them apart. If only they didn’t look so similar, we would think them separate dogs. Yin is always happy. Yang is always surly and mischievous. Yin Yang has two minds about him but is usually happy and playful. Anyone who has met him loves him, as do I. I love you, Yin. I love you, Yang.

I love you, Yin Yang.

Double Horseshoes

Double horseshoes, more orange than I had imagined. Maybe it was the art historical photo that engrained black and white in my brain, a zebra-like pattern in three dimensions. It was like the beauty of a half-dream, the marvels I see when I close my eyes, repeating like and orchard, regularly in all directions.

The Catholics managed not to ruin it. It is no more beautiful with their church erected in its core, but I can sense the love and respect for the Moors in the Catholic architect’s plan. The traditions merge peacefully, a surprise given the inquisition’s bloody history.

Rachel challenged me: if I’m going to Design, make something that lasts one thousand years.

That’s a good challenge.

Mezquita

Beautiful. Pretty. Stunning.
Architecture. Stack. Artistic.
Colors. Stripes. Arcs.
Red. White. Contrast.
Marble. Stone. Smooth.
Chisel. Fists. Work.
Muscles. Lifting. Strength.
Old. Gold. Rich.
Christain. Jesus. Cathedral.
Muslim. Islamic. Mosk.
Tourist. Local. Sight.
Massive. Tall. Impressive.
Religous. Pray. God.
Kept. Preserved. On top.
Mezquita. Mezquita. Mezquita.

Ode to a traveler

I have lived it.
A developed life.
The safe familiar.
The organized, the efficient, the straight.
A symphony half-whispered.
Space carefully managed.
A million perfumed bodies.
Sweet flavorless air.

I have lived it.
A developing life.
The worry of being sick.
The low drone of a stomach longing.
A cautious curiosity.
Wet and green, soft and flexible.
Laughter of families kept close.
A billion people pressed against me.
Combustion clouding my breath, my head.
Spice surpassing it all.

I have lived it
A bit at a time
With you, my family
Who I love
Who I hold close
Who share my thoughts
My feelings.

You have lived it.
These sights
Sounds
Touches
Smells
Tastes
Feelings.

They are mine
They are yours
They are ours.