A Poem I Wrote About Costa Rica

Pura Vida

By Holly Melgren

July

I live in a valley surrounded by mountains

but I can't often see them

because of the clouds.

These same clouds hide my wide-open

skies

and bring more rain than I knew existed.

I live in a city full of smoky loud cars,

and odd signs from two different worlds.

I stay in a nice house with

strangers I can't always understand

and who I hope I'm not offending.

I eat strange, delicious food,

and spend lots of time in my dictionary.

I wonder what God was thinking

in bringing me here--

or was it my idea?

November

I live in a valley surrounded by mountains

and I've seen them light up

like a hill full of stars.

I've seen them wear

clouds like a scarf

and stand tall and proud

on a clear blue morning.

I've been soaked by rain

and more so by sun.

I can give directions using

only landmarks, and have

a love-hate relationship

with rice and beans.

I've learned that you don't have to understand

everything that is said

to know you are loved.

And that you don't have to know

what God is up to

to know that He's still there.