"Trop Rock Review!!"

I travelled to Seattle last weekend and experienced a fabulous concert. It was a "house concert", which I had never experienced or even heard of and I loved it! Hugo Duarte was the performer, he sings what they call "Trop Rock" much like Jimmy Buffet. It was such a great experience. He walked around chatting with all of us and then sang for us with his best friend Emily as back up. Hugo is living on purpose and the passion overflows from his heart as he shares the songs in his soul.. His music spans all the emotions from the fiery hot Cajun song of passion about a woman in the south titled "Native Tongue" to the depths of his soul poured into "Hidden River". His ballads about learning about love with a few scars brought tears to all our eyes and his "Modern Day Buccaneer" had us all on our feet dancing. His beautiful song about a son and his mother's relationship and his song about a "Daddy" also brought rain from the heart once again for his entire audience. Hugo surprised many when he was asked what his all time favorite song was and he rendered a beautiful portrayal of Don Henley's "Heart of the Matter". Since the word "Forgiveness" has taken on such greater meaning for me, this was a beautiful tribute and we all felt an incredible spirit. Hugo! Thank you for sharing, connecting and bringing your music to this world. To borrow a phenomenal line from the latest Hollywood hit "Avatar" Hugo Duarte.....I See you!!!............. and I feel your soul. Hugo is performing in Portland this evening and then again in Seattle on Friday and Saturday. Check his website for more info at http://www.hillbillybeach.com/ and click on the guitar. Thanks again for an amazing evening!

Preface for The Dark Knight

Dear readers......

Most of my posts are from the light I have experienced after a "Dark Knight". I questioned whether I would ever post the writings that I have from the shadows of my journey but I trust that the inspiration that I have felt to post this will be to help others find the Light during their own dark night.

Love and Light!

-Sheri Joi

The Dark Knight

The air feels heavy and closes in slightly,
Nervous anticipation grips my insides even more tightly.

Shadow's befall me all around;
Eve creeps in, the sun goes down.

Two steps ahead I've stayed his grip,
Persistence has pursued me on his evil trip.

The large black stallion gallops through the dark,
Loud heavy hoof beats I feel in my heart.

The beating goes silent as footsteps approach the door,
Two steps overtaken, The Dark Knight is in store.

The lights all dim, the candles all quiver,
The hardwoods go icy like a cold winter river.

The door swings open with the cutting wind of night,
A black hooded figure steps in through dim, hazy light.

Entry is his, at last The Dark Knight has arrived.
Exhaustion grips my small frame, anticipation tells me I'll never survive.

Fists clenched tight and pulse running wild,
Sobs overtake me, I cry out as an abandoned child.

Wrestling for hours through terror and fears,
Surrender is mine, I let go of the tears.

A warm air floats in and blankets around me,
Feelings of hope and renewal melt into my being

Sunshine floods in, the new rising dawn,
Silence and stillness speak, a new cloak puts on.

The shadows begin to scurry astray,
Light is the answer to push darkness away.

The Dark Knight must leave when I enter the Light,
Ironic surrendering dis-spells the Dark Knight.

The fight only weakens the spirit within.
The surrender to peace empowers with love, the world to live in.

Turn not away from the love that is there in the Light,
The Light is what will carry you away from your own Dark Knight

He can only linger and play,
As long as you allow him to stay

We must remember to invite in the Light,
By surrendering to this we'll dismiss all of the Dark Knights.