Mary Torres writes: "I am from the beautiful state of California and a resident of Patterson in Stanislaus County. The Central Valley has been my lifelong home. I was born in 1967 in Patterson and began my journey with writing at the age of eight. I write short stories and poetry. Poems are by far my greatest love. I write of life and life experiences."
The following notes, written by the poet relate to the poems below:
" 'My Town' is about Patterson, the town where I was born and raised. It contemplates time, beauty, and small town life. It was written during a time when I thought about relocating and was having second thoughts about leaving a place I have always known as home.
'Lost' is about the outskirts of west Salida CA out in the rural countryside. It came to be after my sister moved to the small town. I was searching for a shortcut to make my drive faster for future visits and I ended up very much lost. It was a beautiful peaceful drive and one worth writing about.
'Vista Point' is about a small spot located off I-5 about ten minutes south of Patterson. It is a very scenic view that allows you to gaze down into the valley. During the evening it is very beautiful and very dazzling. I sometimes go there with friends or alone to reflect and enjoy the sights."
Granules of time slip away
into unknown skies.
Dreams drift by old men
who sit in rocking chairs.
A gentle breeze carries
the sweet scent of apricot trees.
Migrating workers give their hands
tending a farmers land.
The sun smiles down on me
as I drive through this sleepy
town of mine.
Born and raised to believe
all that I needed would be here
for me.
A church every here and there.
Ladies gather about town.
Mothers stroll with their babies.
As I wonder what keeps me here.
Among prairie fields
the San Joaquin river flows
sparkling and lazy to the eye
with an undercurrent so swift
it will take you by surprise.
Against a backdrop of yellows
blues and purple, the mountains
of the Diablo Range will take
your breath away,
and leave you to reflect
and ponder of sunsets
every day.
And here I am at crossroads
before me and I think,
Is it I who live in this town
or is it the town that lives
in me.
Five miles to the west
thirty miles to the north,
the road on which I drive
conforms to the landscape.
Gentle slopes guide me
on a road I've never been.
To my left, a short wooden fence
as far as I can see,
with wild flowers growing
at its feet.
To my right, I see the
mountains surrounded by
the hazy gold of a setting sun.
The shortcut I was taking
has taken me somewhere else.
My race to get to a place of
no hurry has given me more
time than what I had wanted
to give myself.
And now, I find myself
in a place of absolute beauty.
Miles and miles of land
with what seems not another
living soul.
The stillness and peace
of which I am surrounded
brings tears to my eyes.
My heart comes alive
as I have never felt.
Open pastures and fields
of flowers bring an ache
of coming home,
to a place I've never been.
Trembling, I try to understand
the happiness and feeling of
completion that has taken
over me.
I have found where I
need to be, but how can
it be if I am lost?
I gather myself and slowly
seek the road to which
I had meant to take.
As I look behind me,
I feel as if I am leaving
part of me behind.
Every now and then
I purposely lose myself
and find my way
to that wonderful place.
Sitting on mountain tops
looking down at miles of city lights
a blanket of stars you can almost touch.
You can hear your thoughts
and see where your heart wants to be.
There is a peaceful tranquility that
lifts your soul and a gentle calm
that embraces you.
Many memories are remembered here
and many more are made here.
Some come to cry or laugh
some come to reflect and many
come for love.
All come for its beauty.
The road that takes you there
carefully winds its way around
the mountain.
When you take your leave
it will be a place you will always
remember.
The small stop in the road that
lets you touch the stars.
All text and images in The Central California Poetry Journal are copyrighted. Copyright by © by Scott Galloway2001. All rights are reserved. See main Journal page for copyright information.
Authors and poets submitting original materials to this journal retain all rights to their original work, except those rights specifically assigned in writing to Solo Publications including the right to publish the submitted work in The Central California Poetry Journal. The poems on this page are copyrighted by the author. Copyright © Mary Torres.
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