Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet

     After reading the original Romeo and Juliet, we watched the 2013 version. Seeing as how I was not a fan of it, I was excited to hear that we were watching the Baz Luhrman version, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
     I love the many allusions that are made to the original script. One of these is how the gun brand is "sword." Not only does this keep with the original theme, but it allowed the script to remain the same. This is another thing that I love about this version. In the 2013 version, the script is so altered that many of the original meanings are lost. In the one we're currently watching, the script remains exactly the same. I believe this preserves the integrity and essence of the show, while making it relatable to different generations.
     I also love how Romeo and Juliet look more in the same age group. While they're older than the script calls for, it still makes it more relatable and appropriate. It's hard to enjoy a movie when the entire time you're thinking about how Juliet looks twelve, and Romeo looks twenty. In this version, Juliet anf Romeo both look to be around 16-18.
   
   

Where I'm From

I am from lemons
Hanging from my abuelita and abueito's tree
Sweet and sour, seasoned with salt
Or made into lemonade
We would spend warm California days
Outside, enjoying these treats
The food of my youth
I am from the redwood in the backyard
Tall and majestic, I would climb
Up and up and up
Hoping to touch the sky
Never afraid that I would fall
I am from the innocence
That comes from being a child
Never being afraid to fail
Not worrying of what others
Think of you
I am from my memories
And what I have learned from them.
They influence my future,
Who I am.

A Letter To My Love

My love,

You occupy my every waking thought.

I cannot go an hour, a minute, even a second

Without the image of you swimming through my mind. 

While you can be salty at times 

And that orange spray-tan isn't tasteful

It's all worth it to see that cheesy grin

That's practically carved into your face.

My dear, whenever I open my lunch bag

And see you

Staring back up at me

I smile 

And you smile back.

Bittersweet Memories

A day outside filled with friends

Laughter, joy and glee

Sunlight fills your eyes

You feel happy, free

As you play your games

Calling "red rover"

You don't realize how fleeting

How few

These moments are

Until they are over

While those days are in the past

And it's been years since those friends have gone

You look back on the bittersweet memories

Of happiness and sun

My Hands

My hands
Have changed
They may appear
To be the same
Still small, fragile,
Thin
The only visible difference
Is the paint
That now splatter them

but

They've flipped through the pages
Of a new novel
A favorite book waiting
To be read
They have caused me
So much pain
Over the last year
A brace here,
A doctor's visit there
They've helped me
Express how I felt
In ways words
Could not
They have held up
A sign
Protesting for change
They have traced
Lines to a script
Adventures waiting
To be reenacted
My hands have changed
As have I.

I Got A Nickel

A ray of sunshine
Playing hide-and-seek with clouds
Waiting to say "boo"!