A Thanksgiving Poem

T  hanksgiving is the time for all
H  ere and abroad
A  ll over the world
N  ear and far
K  eeping the gratitude
S  hown in all that we do by
G  iving and caring
I  n different ways that leave
V  ery memorable thoughts
I  n the kindest of ways
N  ot just this time of the year, but always --
G  od Bless you!
(c)Rivera, M.N.

Yona, Guam

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Have a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends!

On being who you are...

Be who you are 

And say what you feel, 

Because those who mind don’t matter, 

And those who matter don’t mind.

-Bernard M. Baruch

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Do your best
In all that you say
In all that you do
To make your life worth living
To make a difference in the lives of others.

Realize that you're important to someone
And your genuine help from the kindness of your heart
To pick up others when the odds are stacked up against them
Gives them hope when they have none.

Remember…
If you help out others with no expectations in return
Then your life will be enriched with abundant goodness
And perhaps one day someone will be there for you too.

Living life right
Sacrificing even it hurts so much
Taking on meaningful challenges that may stab your heart a bit at times
All the while striving to be on the side with one's angel
Whom absorbs the goodness of your beautiful soul
Enables you to live a life that matters.

Keeping up the faith
Working as brothers and sisters
To make this world a better place
Moves a nation and heals our souls -
Tis the power of unity!

Remember that beauty is not dependent on your looks or wealth
But who you are deep within -
A remarkable and beautiful person filled with so much love to spread
Filled with inspirational momentum
To help others because you truly do care
Because you know it's the right thing to do
To make a difference!

And though you're hurting
Though your life is filled with strife that strikes your gentle soul
Sometimes you have to let things go even if you’re hurting deep inside.
You have to release your hold
And let things be
Because maybe it was never meant to be.

Sometimes you have to realize that you can’t take things for granted
Because when you least expect it
What you thought you had can be suddenly stolen
As if someone pulled the carpet fast from under your feet.

You have to hold your head up high even if you would rather cry.
You see, life can be very cruel
And it won’t get any better
Unless you move on with your life
Cut your losses
Invest in hope and faith
And with each day you’ll get stronger, and stronger, and stronger…

Grasp and gain the strength from deep within and trust in God
To live a life that makes a difference -
Tis the wonderful gift of life!
So join me, if you will and
Let's live a life that matters
Because together…
We can make a difference!
©Rivera, M.N.
Tamuning, Guam

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Together, We Can Make A Difference!!

Keep swimming

Welcome to National Poetry Month!

Thank you for celebrating poetry and the important place it occupies in our culture in April and all year long. As Chancellor Jane Hirshfield writes, “A poem makes clear without making simple. Poetry’s language carries what lives outside language.” We need the clarity poets provide. Here’s to a new year of poetry! 

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the following is a poem I wrote.  Enjoy!

MY POETRY

My imagination runs wild,
As I grab a pen and write away.
The emotions linger about,
Pushing me to set it free.
It shall be set free in the words that I write.
It shall be set free in the feelings that I express.
It shall be set free, just by knowing it is mine.
My own thoughts,
My own words,
My own feelings --
That in itself is poetry,
Whether it is liked by others or not;
I know this to be true,
That as long as it is dear to my heart,
It's as special as can be,
And no one can deny that it is poetry!
©mnrivera
Source:  Poets.org

Island Of Guam

Guam is my home

It’s my island and the place to be.

It’s where you can find

all sorts of nationalities.

We aren’t stingy with our island

Although how tiny it is to me.

But if you plan to come and ruin it

Then I suggest you pack and leave.

OUR island is here 

for as long as it can stand

So treasure and hold it

as if you’re a built man.

(c) ChelseaJenae

Dededo, Guam

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Be proud of your island and treasure it!

UOG Presidential Lecture Features Marshallese Poet Kathy Jetnil-Kijner

University of Guam President Dr. Robert A. Underwood presents the first Presidential Lecture of 2015 featuring Marshallese poet and spoken word artist Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (CLASS) Lecture Hall on the UOG Campus. Her lecture is entitled: “Iep Jeltok: A Basket of Poetry and Activism.”

Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner is a Marshallese poet and spoken word artist whose work focuses on raising awareness surrounding the issues and threats faced by her people - militarism and the nuclear legacy, climate change and climate justice, and adaptation and racism in America are just a few topics her work touches upon.

She received her Master’s degree from the Center for Pacific Island Studies at University of Hawai'i Manoa, with a focus on the history of Marshallese oral traditions and the transition into textual productions from Marshallese authors.

This past September, she performed at the opening of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, following the speeches of Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and has since been thrust into global conversations on climate change. She currently teaches at the College of the Marshall Islands.

Source:  www.uog.edu