Summer Lover

BY ALEX R. HERNANDEZ 

Hurrah the summer is upon us
I step out of my air conditioned complex and I am immediately reminded of the city’s public display of affection.

It’s humidity hugs me in all places both seen and unseen and latches onto me like a needy child.

She flirts with me, the sun winking with every pass of a cloud. I feel her passionate kisses as it leaves it’s dew evidenced by the perspiration on my upper lip and neck.

She sings to me in many languages, sounds that blair from passing cars with open windows.

At night if I’m lucky and we hit up the city she sings a special melody of horns crescendoing guiding the beat of my heart and hers together as we become one.

When it’s time to retire I reluctantly leave her; jealous because her nights don’t belong to me. She has a city full of other suitors, but it doesn’t stop me from seeing her again the next morning.

Two Kinds of Artist

BY ALEX R. HERNANDEZ 

There are two kinds of artist in the world:

The kind who pander to the want and need of its audience.

The kind that is completely unplugged from its audience. Separate from societal fads and ongoings. Wanting to express himself or herself so that society understands them. Those expressions of their inner-selves can result in timeless or culturally redefining art.