The Book: Poems, Short Stories and Essays

By Lupe D. Dunn

Lupe Duron Dunn learned through her lengthy teaching career that writing provides a person a sense of self and creates a positive outlet. Her own writing is inspired from viewing the world through colors, movements, people, shapes, and other influences.

In a collection of poems, short stories, and essays, Dunn begins with free verse shared to lift spirits and encourage souls while reflecting on past moments, present events, and everything in between including the Navajo people, the beauty of Old Glory, the ravages of time, and the goodness of mankind. In eight short stories, Dunn’s characters each reveal a moment when life showed them a new way of viewing their experiences. Dunn concludes by sharing personal essays that detail the emotions that accompany visiting sites of old battles, a novice actor as he struggles to find his way, and much more.

The Book shares poetry, short stories, personal essays, and illustrations that transcend culture and time to soothe the soul, provide clarity, and remind of the magic of the pen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665741637

Lupe D. Dunn

Lupe Duron Dunn, a first-time published author, was born in Mexico. Her family migrated to the United States in 1950, where she, her sister, and her brother attended public schools. Lupe received a full scholarship to the University of La Verne in La Verne, California, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. Years later, she returned to receive a master’s degree in Public Administration. Her career began with teaching elementary school children. After ten years, she moved on to teach incarcerated youths and incarcerated adults for another ten years. Before completing her teaching career, she returns to elementary grades to teach the shelter and homeless children of Orange County School District in California. Mrs. Dunn said, "A person does not go into teaching for the money. Your heart leads you, and the rest will follow." Through her teaching career, she found that writing gives a person a sense of self and creates a positive outlet. She believes writing short stories just for fun or writing an extended essay profoundly affects expressing and encouraging students not to be fearful of the writing process. Each individual has a voice in expressing themself through the magic of the pen. We bring our uniqueness to the printed word, and our inspirations come from different sources, such as nature, environments, spirit, and other writers. Therefore, thoughts and expressions result in written words; these words transition from empty spaces into a sea of knowledge. Mrs. Dunn, what inspired you, "My inspirations come from seeing the world in which we live: colors, movements, people, shapes, and whatever surrounds me." Finally retired from her extensive educational career, Lupe enjoys traveling with her husband and family in the states and abroad. James Mario Doiron was born and raised in Southern California in the 60s. His love for arts started in early childhood. He enjoys sketching during his free time. His choice of medium is acrylic paint, and he loves experimenting with color. The inspiration for his art comes from travels and family experiences. His favorite artists are Monet and Van Gogh.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 Lupe D. Dunn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Archway Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

844-669-3957

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Interior Image Credit: James Mario Doiron

ISBN: 978-1-6657-4162-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-4163-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023905855

Archway Publishing rev. date: 05/22/2023

Contents

Dedication

Poems

Let Your Light Shine

The Cliffs and Rocks

The Ferris Wheel

The Winds

Mighty Warrior

A Navajo

When I See You

The Mighty Winds

The Saddest Day in Our Nation

The Mermaid and Her Seashells

Chains

Reflections

What Could Have Been

Human Dignity

Mere Shadows

The Ravages of Time

The Ocean

Angelic Music

The Mexican

The Mexican Flag

Stand Up for Justice

Elliott Jones

The Firefighter

Autumn

Our Cowboy

The Beggar of Time

A Time to Heal

The Goodness of Mankind

A Letter to the Lord

Grandmas

Broken Bridges

The Little Mouse

The Old Man

Truth

The Rain

No Coverings

The Vision of the Sky People

Just Imagine

Foolishness

Darkness

For Mothers

The Old Train

The Man and his Motorcycle

The Farmer

Songs and Chants

As Night Falls

A Triumphant March

The Rocky Terrain

Oh, Mighty River

The Land of Milk and Honey

Tallest Forest Trees

The Man in the Plaid Jacket

Soldiers and Heroes

A Man’s Shadow

Working Men

The Rains Came 1

The Setting Sun

Tears

The Ride

What We Breathe

A Beacon of Hope

Holding Back

Out of Danger

Our Great Ancestors

Falsehood

A Healing Place

Victory

The Majestic River

My Little Milo

The Dark Sleep

The Rains Came 2

Day’s End

Life

In the Forest

The Whispering Wind

God Bless Our Truckers

My Dear Lady

My Mama Lola

The Queen Bee

My Thoughts

The Crows versus the Hawk

Betting on Horses

The Voice

The Gift

Planets and Stars

Another Day

Boundaries

The Mountain Goats

The Pillar

Wishes

Future Generations

Human Nature

A Smile

The Majestic Eagles

The Hot Air Balloon

The Trojan Horse

The Classroom

Today’s Thoughts

The Fog

Walking Into the Forest

Memories

The Quiet Faith

Brother, I Have Your Back

Peace

Short Stories

The Wise Old Navajo Chief

The Wedding Day

What is Death?

A Precious Son

The Local Restaurant

The No-Fuss Son

The Present with a Bow

Mexico Lindo

Essays

The Ferris Wheel

The Battle of Gettysburg

Extra, Extra!!

Sedona, A Firsthand Experience

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Illustrator

Dedication

I dedicate this Book to the memory of four significant people in my life.

The first two are my parents: Adolfo Lomeli Duron and Dolores Estrada Duron, who, through their effort and determination, immigrated to the United States for a better future for their family. I am grateful for my parent’s guidance, nurturing, and love which produced the person I am today.

The third person is my brother Carlos Estrada Duron who taught me how to study effectively while pursuing a higher education.

The fourth person was my son Jimmy Nino Marino, whose laughter, bear hugs, and funny jokes taught me to slow down and enjoy the moment, plus the true meaning of patience.

Poems

37575.png

Let Your Light Shine

May you be the stars of tomorrow and the ashes of the past be no more.

May you rise with great expectation and soar above the clouds of yesterday.

May you see the bright future with each sunrise and be bathed by the sun’s warm rays.

May you breathe the freshness of freedom that comes with the knowledge of success.

Face the future, for tomorrow will hold and embrace you as you desire.

Go forward with dignity, stand tall, be wise, and love all mankind.

Remember, you are the future, not the past!

37575.png

The Cliffs and Rocks

The cliffs and rocks speak of the injustice that is awaiting the nation.

The inhabitants of this nation have long forgotten to speak the truth and instead surround themselves with lies.

The truth is vital for survival, not only for today but for the nation’s future.

Greedy lies and selfishness have taken their place.

Could it be that its inhabitants are asleep in their dream world, that they’re playing the part so rehearsed that they no longer know the truth and have forsaken it for lies?

37575.png

The Ferris Wheel

Let’s go ride on the tall Ferris wheel. We can