Remembering

I am in a reminiscent mood Thinking back to a time in my childhood When I lived in Brazil Seems like eons ago It’s a warm, welcoming place Especially for children Full of joy and laughter The music was intoxicating The beauty stunning Beyond words Remembering visiting friends Whose houses were adorned With birds of paradise flowers Visiting the bird sanctuary With my mother Seeing every kind of parrot In a rainbow of colors Walking the beach in Rio Ipanema Beach Famous for its black and white mosaic tile Sitting on the beach Listening to the waves While people flew their bird kites Traveling around with my parents Seeing the country North and South Struck with the humanity and beauty Those memories never left me They still haunt the inner recesses Of my heart