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TAINO EYES

On September 24th 1493, Christopher Columbus set sail on a second voyage to the New World with 17 ships and 1,200 to 1,500 soldiers from Cádiz, Spain. 56 days later on Sunday, November 19th 1493, he landed in Puerto Rico on the northwest coast of the island; somewhere between Aguada and Aguadilla, or possibly in Añasco or Rincon, or even Mayaguez. The Indigenous people of the island were the Taino (descendants of the Arawak tribe), the first to be encountered by Columbus and his crew when they arrived.


*Author's Note: I have deep Taino roots in this part of the island confirmed through DNA.

My Poem titled “Taino Eyes” with art by ElusiveDreams07 at Devianart.com

This poem was written over 9 years ago inspired by my Native American ancestors (Taino).


TAINO EYES


"When they came, we thought they come from sky We thought they gods... Then we see not gods, but men like we, with white covered flesh They come take our home and children Leave us with no women, no wives, or mothers... We warriors fight for our people but it come to us losing our life... We are Taino men." "We hid behind trees, invisible to others We are ONE with land, hidden and unseen... Our men leave to greet and fight as warriors We lost and now we must marry or die... So I marry and have their children I change my name and take their god... I am Taino woman" "We play and hide, We see strange creatures with white flesh We hear strange words ... Crying from our mothers, warring from our fathers We scare and run into the hills and caves... We saw death surround us, everyone sick and dying No more playing, no more fun, we hungry... We are Taino children"


This painting was created by artist JCE Lopez-Correa on November 27, 2012 at 4:02pm.

"Inspiration came from a poem written by Marcy Lopez one of our sister. Its oil on canvas" (Artist inspired by my poem titled "Taino Eyes" created this beautiful art piece 🙂 I am very proud of his work and mine coming together so beautifully!!!)


Virginia Lopez Garcia (my aunt and published writer/poet) share on July 2012:

"The wording of the poem suggestion introduces each accordingly to what concurred. This is an expressive poem with each piece introducing a class of people what they experienced on the onset of war within their place called home."

Sanakori Ramos shared with me on October 2016:

"Great poem and truly touches the Taino soul. It was read at a Taino ceremony by Vee Perez. It was amazing. Ancestors spoke through you.."
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