THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF CELIA CRUZ

THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF CELIA CRUZ © PJ Hayward, New York, 2003; Revised 2012 Recently I was reminded of the irreplaceable loss, in July 2003, of one of the most beloved and extraordinary performers of our time, the legendary Cuban Queen of Song, Celia Cruz. Celia would strut, run, dance or sashay onto the stage,…

SISTER JEAN

SISTER JEAN © PJ Hayward New York, 2016 Revised from first publication © PJ Hayward, New York 2008 and 2013 by Hold On Publications In my youth I was one of those kids some people referred to as "A Handful". Others called me "Out of control", "Just plain bad", "Juvenile delinquent" etc.  My father, who…

SOUL ON FIRE

SOUL ON FIRE © PJ HAYWARD NEW YORK, 2015 With all that is going on in the world right now, I thought I'd take us in a  different direction today. Those of us who have been around for awhile may remember some of what I am talking about. . .but maybe the young people can…

SATURDAY NIGHT

SATURDAY NIGHT © PJ Hayward, New York 2014 There's a party going on outside my window… Downstairs. ...outside... out in the back of one of those buildings down there.... From my perch up here on the fifth floor of my building, I am loving the music of Mexico as it flows up here from the happiness…

DANCE

DANCE © PJ Hayward New York 2014   I feel the music that pounding rhythm.. Aahh.... Oh yessss... The drums... The drums.......... that Latin beat…. that Afro beat…. the throbbing…..pounding…… in the air through the floor infecting my feet like electricity... it flows like lightning through my body  I am on fire........   Someone feels…