Peru for me…
A desert near the sea,
Has now become a part of me.
I never would have dreamed,
It’s so much more than it first seemed.
Villa El Salvador
For Lima only a side door.
For me a wondrous site
Of people gazing towards the light.
In the calm welcome breeze
Peruvian flags flap with ease.
Waving above the sand
Placed on each home due to command.
Barking dogs, squawking birds,
Pleasantly spoken Spanish words
Tears, smiles. Sit on your stool!
Farewell to mom. Hello to school.
Letters, numbers, squiggles
Children’s warm laughter and giggles
Reminders of childhood
And that in all there is some good.
A strong community
Living lives lacking luxury,
But rich in family,
Courage, love, pride, hospitality.
The sector Oasis,
Of this district, only a piece,
Is where I got to grow.
Wonderful people, I came to know.
At an NGO there,
Deporte y Vida is where
I learned and volunteered.
Soon leaving became what I feared.
Children so creative,
Loving, curious, and active.
Guiding under constraints:
Teachers with the patience of saints.
Two murals we painted,
With students’ homework we guided.
Warmly welcomed we were.
My time could not have been better.
For the better, it’s true,
My life was changed while in Peru.
The people, the culture
Spirit of Villa El Salvador.
