This is my humble contribution to the challenge, although living in Sweden I left my heart (like the boy from Hooboken) in San Francisco, which its a lie because from Sausalito the view of the world is much better!
California, I am the lover that went away
from the sweet grapes of Napa Valley,
inebriating nectar from Falcon Crest
traveling with the wind as you cross
going to San Francisco by the Golden Gate,
a bridge that bring sighs of sad yeranings
with a city where Frank Sinatra his heart left,
and the island, don’t forget the island,
where Bird Man wrote so many books about,
Capone’s Alcratraz in the middle of the bay.
There you have Oakland where the navy boys
are proud to call, of all, the better Navy Base,
not as big a San Diego, more homely intimate
where ships after long hauls come to mend,
Concorde, with that most friendly Sheriff
and Dirty Harry was once the Mayor of Carmel,
the Forty Niners kicking ass in Candle Park
and a bodybuilder for Governor of the State,
we have all, Grizzly Adams law defending
the giant sequoias from Bush his lumber men.
Then is Baja where wackos on four wheels
will scramble around they kidneys for a race,
to see who is the biggest moron of them all,
but that’s California fun, what the heck!
Orange and melon plucking from the south
work hard and for that their backs are wet,
the gringo Yankees call them wet-backs
as they eat the oranges from Chicanos harvest,
but that heritage is what make our State Great,
so great that we have in our flag a golden Bear.
California can’t be named without Hollywood
the capital of dreams…dreams I said?
if you are so star-struck that you believe that
you deserve to being folding something fake.
Between Oregon and Mexico, long haul,
Nevada with Las Vegas calling from the west,
and that mean Pacific Ocean just waiting there
that San Andreas once an for all fart us to hell
with a mighty earthquake for the Guinnes Book
it will be going with a Big Bang, California way!
...myself the restless native...your reflections of my home remain golden...though the faults of many heading west...are what have truly shaken California all these years.
wonderfully penned Georg...
John
Wow what a viidly descriptive piece of California. I lived in Redondo Beach (near Beach Boy country, Hermosa Beach) for a number of years and what a fascinating place it is. However, after the Landers Quake, Rodney King and the National Guard, Malibu fires where we just could not see and spent much time choking, Robert came down with pneumonia and finally the North Ridge Quake knew it was time for us to go. Still as I look back, what a fascinating place to live....
never been to Calif or Sweden. Glad you can experience both of these. Sounds like your life history is very exciting and glad you passed it onto us by the challenging way.
Never been to Sweden, but many times to CA. I remember standing in San Fran and wondering what it would be like to take one of those big ships out to sea.
Great write, George!
Love,
Becca~
I just crossed that bridge of beautiful memories with you, only a year I spent, came down on 66, but it was rich in adventure, had a daugther born in Glendale, you do your homeland proud.
Bless You! Jasmin Horst
Georg, Wonderful poem about your homeland. Don't you miss it? Sweden sounds exciting, however, especially if you like tall blond women!
Great job on this challenge. I enjoyed every word.
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
I've never been to California (farthest weest I've been is Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming! LOL), but would love to go one day, just to say I've been there. Very well penned; you bring California to me, and I appreciate that! I really do!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :D
I never thought in a million years I would ever say this...but You made me want to live in California...What a tribute, well done Georg. Love and hugs, Bonnie
I've always enjoyed the numerous times that I've spent wandering northern California - San Fran, Sausalito, Alcatraz, Carmel, Napa Valley, and gazing at those magnificent giant Sequoias. I even took Mean Tall Woman to northern California for our Honeymoon.
WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!! With YOUR words, I was travelling in California!!!!!! Liana Margiva
Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines (Reader)
Reviewed on November 23, 2008
You GO, Georg!!! You just about covered the Golden State, although Dirty Harry finally gave up on mayoring Carmel, preferring to spend more time telling tall tales in his own Hog's Breath Inn :-)
Regis
PS: My daughter is currently in California. She loves it.
wonderfully penned Georg...
John
Outstanding story-poem... "CALIFORNIA (Rebecca's Challenge)" depicts and sings the place beautifully.
In admiration,
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
But, you can keep it... hee, hee... I like my home better.
Cryssa
But I Take Manhatten anyday over San Fransico
Stll a great respond to Becca's Challenge
Peace be with you
William
Be always safe,
Karen
You confirm it's a great state,even
though San Francisco is now become
a sad farce of what it once was1
lOVE,
Eileen
Great write, George!
Love,
Becca~
Bless You! Jasmin Horst
Great job on this challenge. I enjoyed every word.
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :D
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
But you can keep southern California, brother!!
fee
Ted