10 Times 4 Poem by EMMALINE ORTIZ

When I reach 10 times 4
Please allow my presence to take the floor
and listen to the lines I prepared
By the heavens, may this be heard

I'd like to enter this milestone
with simple dreams and ambitions:
To have a better life with more peace and happiness,
but less tears and sadness

I do not need to conquer all
Some fortunes need not befall
but I prayed that each person close to my heart be given his or her most ardent wish
Through this I would find my bliss.

Bracing myself for the coming days
May the ground I stand be unmoved by each case
The faith I keep I will hold on tight-gripped
Even if I find myself mopped into the ocean deep

To whom, whose unfizzled love for me extends,
Thanks for coloring my life with odds and ends
To the One above that I adore
Hope you'll never get tired of being there for me forevermore

This life of mine with still a lot of things to explore
Hope to bring more happy anecdotes for later to recall
Looking back at my humble beginnings once more
And counted my blessings all-in-all, needless to say they're more than 10 times 4!

Emmaline Ortiz
August 13,2010
Winnipeg, Manitoba



P.S.
I won't concentrate
On things not worth a debate
my dears, you just have to wait
a few more days and then i'll celebrate
but for now, take note of the date