August 2023 – Hayden Coombs

Lusophone Lands

Lusophone lands sing,Tongues in rhythm, cultures blossom,Portuguese heart’s dream.

Algarve Sands

Hot Algarve sands gleam,Golden beaches, dreams take flight,Sun-kissed paradise.

Cobblestone Streets

Cobblestone paths wind, History’s footsteps they bear, Portugal’s past told.

Cabo da Rocha

Cabo da Rocha’s edge, Cliffs kiss the Atlantic’s might,Sunset’s fiery dance.

In Portugal’s land, a nation’s heart did stir,A Carnation Revolution, a message to confer.Amidst Lisbon’s cobblestone streets’ grandeur,A momentous tale of courage, hope, and fervor. April blooms, nineteen seventy-four,When people yearned for freedom’s open door,Carnation buds in barrels, weapons set aside,With flowers, they declared, no more to hide. Beneath Lisbon’s sun, the soldiers stood,With gentleContinue reading “Love and Hope Prevail”

Fado

Throughout Lisbon’s night,Fado’s mournful song takes flight,Soul’s ache in moonlight.

Boundless Love

In family’s hearth, where love’s flame doth glow,A father’s heart, with boundless love, does swell,For wife and children, blessings to bestow,In their sweet presence, joy and love compel. His wife, his steadfast partner through the years,With her, he shares life’s joy and heavy load,Be it joyful or moments filled with tears,Love persists, a bond timeContinue reading “Boundless Love”

Athletic Privilege

“Athletic privilege” is a concept that refers to the inherent advantages enjoyed by student-athletes at certain colleges and universities due to the superior resources, facilities, and support systems provided by their athletic departments. This term underscores the significant disparities that exist within collegiate athletics, where larger and more financially endowed institutions often offer their student-athletesContinue reading “Athletic Privilege”

Children’s Shield

A father’s duty, solemn as the night,To provide and protect, a sacred quest,With steadfast love and courage, burning bright,He shields his offspring from the world’s unrest. As guardian, he stands with arms held wide,A fortress built of strength, his children’s shield,In shadows dark, he’ll be their trusted guide,Through every trial, on life’s trying field. WithContinue reading “Children’s Shield”

Porto

In Porto’s heart, where history blends,Cultural gems, their story transcends. Azulejo tiles in hues so bright,Paint tales of old in the soft daylight. Majestic churches, towers that soar,Legends of explorers, tales of yore. Cellars deep below, where port wine sleeps,In this city’s soul, its birthright keeps. Porto’s culture, in each landmark’s sight,Echoes its past, aContinue reading “Porto”