Poems Of My Life (51-100) Poem by Jose Radin Garduque

51.

My 2nd Leaf

Picked thee from clusters

With red-like blisters

Shrub with thousand leaves

Packed flowers it gives

Hey! It’s a “santan”!

The owner of thee

A rich family

Named Araneta

And hachuela

Dumarao’s elite

Glad birthday to her

Ma’am Inday’s mother

Their clan reunites

Family invites

June one of this year

Beside the stairway

Flowers in array

On box plots planted

To porch surmounted

Abode’s grand entrance

This day’s important

Somehow jubilant

‘Bout thirteen years past

Since I was there last

This one’s second time.

-06/01/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

52.

My 3rd Leaf

Plucked thee hastily

Hoped no one saw me

A platform décor

With two other more

We call it “palma”!

Whoever placed it

Surely got profit

Public property

University

CapSU-Main domain

Two-day Seminar

Which may bring us far

A Textbook Writing

Aiming for something

These coming school years

Room for conference

Bird’s eye of audience

Right… but not there born

Just there to adorn

It needs the sun soon

Day whispered to me

Opportunity

I can write a book

Pleasure I might hook

This day’s a calling!

-06/03/11

(Dumarao)

*My Tolada collection

53.

Ode to the Flower of June 2011

Got thee at ‘bout four-thirty

While clouds are gray and rainy –

Oh how I missed my real plan

TED Orientation was gone

Flower there must be better

Event’s worth to remember

It was because of nonsense

Momentum near decadence

This time I was in hurry

So I must be not sorry

Slip not oh flower of June

Despite bad weather, there’s boon

And oh I can’t imagine

There’s something red & glowin’

While alone in Amang Hall

A little drizzle, befall

Sitting in front computer

Door’s open saw I flower

When out for awhile to get

Red santan bundle that’s wet.

-06/30/2011

(Dumarao)

*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011

54.

My 4th Leaf

Got thee while walking

From school outgoing

Sidewalk ornament

Simple arrangement

You “bougainvilla”?

It is obviously

A school property

That of CapSU-Main

Was there once again

Mother school – city

Ma’am Gomez called us

Authors – English Plus

To have a review

Changed many or few

July Twenty-nine

Along the hallway

Assorted array

On the very first floor

Left-side corridor

Stage facing audience

I’ve not expected

4th leaf’s connected

3rd Leaf’s appendix

Book-making matrix

Now it’s really real!

-07/30/11

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

55.

My 5th Leaf

Plucked thee while sitting

While Mayor speaking

Unlike the first four

You’re not for décor

Lo! “Carabao grass”?

CapSU family

And unknown to me

Crowd – far and near

Cluster – there and here

Fiesta spectators

P.M. August One

Start of feast on town

There’s not enough sun

Not hot, not cold – fine

Mayor gives message

Parade to playground

Crowds and sounds around

Audience view – right side

Itchy grasses ride

Kneel and Indian seat

It was eight years past

Since I was there last

Take part Padagyaw

Rejoice Dumarao

Our Lady of Snows!

-08/01/11

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

56.

My 6th Leaf

Torn thee from torn leaf

A long one – not brief

Unlike the first five

This one’s not alive

Don’t know its name too

Décor by first year

On table to cheer

By someone from them

For only one name

BS Ed One, lo!

First day of Mid-Term

Their very first sem

Eighteenth of August

While I am their host

For Ma’am Jul’s exam

As said – on table

On vase – with bundle

With flowers – other

Surround them – cluster

It’s one of six leaves

Felt I bit boring

For students talking

Exam not over

I noticed flower

Pre-lunch time stupor.

-08/18/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

57.

Indi na Ako!

Indi na ako maghandum

Nga manginpulitiko

Mag-angkon sggahum kg mga tinawo

Magpasikat sgkasarang kg mga proyekto

Bag-o mangin pulitiko…

Indi na ako maghandum

Nga manginnegosyante

Mag-angkon sgmanggad kg mga kotse

Bag-o mangin negosyante…

Indi na ako maghandum

Nga makasulod samedia

Sa balita man ukondrama

Kapuso man ukonkapamilya

Bag-o makasulod sa media…

Indi na ako maghandum

Nga himuon lang“stepping stone”

Ang kon diin ara ako karon

Kay diri ako daw pulitiko man, negosyante kg media person

Bag-o makasulod sa kon diin ara ako karon

Ako naghandum ngaang paglupad padasigon

Nagpadayaw sapulitiko, negosyante kg media tycoon

Sa tuyo nga manginisa ka maragtason

Nanakit kgnagpahibi sg mga tagipusoon

Bag-o naghandum nga ang paglupad padasigon…

Akon ginpasulabiang kaugalingon

Nga ambisyon kgsakon nga balatyagon

Natabunan anghuna-huna sg mga ilusyon

Samtang ginalab-ot ang mas mataas nga gusto

Ako nabulag kg nagdako ang ulo

Nagbangga kg nanapak sg mga tawo

Paano ko mapamatud-an nga indi ko ina ginusto?

Paano kon ila ako pagabalusan –

Laglagon, patyon ukon nano pa man?

Ano ang akon kasarang nga sila punggan?

Paano ko hambalon nga ako dapat kaluy-an?

Wala ako mahimo kon amo ina gusto nila

Ugaling sa akon sumpa ako anany patapusa

Baydan ang tanan nga utang namon nga kwarta

Mangin amigo sg madamo kg mabaton sg banwa

Paagi sa pagbuyangyang sg matuod ko nga plano

Ginahatagan ta kamo ideya kon paano

Nga ang akon ambisyon (indi sumpa) punggan ninyo

Kay sa paghandum sg mas mataas – indi na ako!

-09/08 to 09/2011

(Dumarao)

*sentimental

58.

My 7th Leaf

Pulled thee near from earth

A short shoot – new birth

Among the humblest

One of the smallest

Behold! ... a “kamia”!

Obtained by father From bank of river

Whoever planted

Not known by my head

Transplanted and then

Tenth day – September

Twenty-third’s over

About nine morning

Mist sprayed – thought raining

‘Bout nine thirty – wrote

Before – bank river

Now – “Takas” – father

There he transplanted

On land adapted

Bless it to prosper

This one is special

Birthday memorial

So far the only

Written so early

While sun not yet gone.

-09/10/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

59.

My 8th Leaf

Picked thee from high place

Metres from its base

Now the longest one

Note’s page overspan

It’s a bamboo leaf

Students – sports players

-And stage performers

From InterCapSU

Just said, “Bye, bye you”

Towards Home Sweet Home

September last day

While bus on delay

Road’s bit so rocky

Blurred air was dusty

Sun has just set

On bus “Marienelle”

Beside window sill

On Sigma somewhere?

A Highschool near there

Dumarao coming

Processed Salingsing

Papers to Ma’am Bing

Bought books, inks, CDs

Went to Ma’am Gomez

Somehow busy day.

-09/30 to 10/01/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

60.

My 9th Leaf

Got thee from small vase

Old décor replace

Host plant of 1st Leaf

Thrown away no grief

Diff’rent “fortune” plant

Planted by father

Installed there after

I was there when placed

A little so fazed

First leaf’s host no more

Third day October

Sunset was nearer

While feeling not well

I’m under cold spell

Drinking I fruit juice

Just inside our house

Living room, oh browse

On vase first leaf was

‘Lil water still has

Buddhas adjacent

Simple day only

Not planned – truthfully

Just went to Passi

Withdrew some money

Wilted 1st Leaf host.

-10/03/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

61.

My 10th Leaf

Culled thee from a bunch

Of decors for lunch

Pinned on half plant trunk

With flowers in rank

Another fortune!

Students & teachers

Servants & masters

Cong. Man Haresco

Gov. V. A. Tanco

CapSU guests, members

October Fifteen

29th Foundin’

Dumarao’s CapSU

And Gov’s Birthday too

Luncheon at noon

On Tanco Resort

No food was short

Ten long tables

Skirtings on ripples

Drinks here & there too

It is memorial

I hope not final

Almost one year here

First shake hands gov. dear

Onwards Thirtieth!

-10/15/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

62.

Ode to the Flower of October 2011

Got thee on Foundation Day

Twenty-nine years our school stay

Worth to remember indeed

It must be something to heed

One year past, I was there last

But joined event not yet must

Because on that time before

I was not yet a member

But this time can’t imagine

This occasion I’m now in

Last year I was also there

CapSU-Dumarao dreamer

On that time just applying

Too Gaisano opening

Oh this flower’s memorial

My bio’s historical

First shake hand with Gov. Tanco

Saw Congressman Haresco

Got thee just after my lunch

At Tanco Resort – from bunch.

-10/15/2011

(Dumarao)

*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011

63.

My 11th Leaf

Rended thee from herb

Released from thy curb

Curative floral

Sure medicinal

-Kalamantigue!

Our neighbor nearest

Uncle for me best

Tatay’s next brother

To me godfather

Nice Dudoy Etic

This night near nine, ten

This day – eleven

This month – eleven

Brown-out, full moon bright

Dudoy etic’s fence

Outside adjacence

Rare luminescence

Utter silence

Almost front gate’s door

Enroll I finish

M-A-T English

Salingsing polish

Begin fitness wish

Saw Iglot first last!

-11/11/11

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

64.

My 12th Leaf

Picked thee from a vine

Name unknown to mine

Hanging on the air

To passersby bare

What plant are you? Tell!

Men on middle age

Girls looking teenage

Those men were standing

The girls were walking

Strangers on the road

Nineteenth November

From class just after

Fine day – sun was high

Filamer bye bye

Was about to climb

Overpass school zone

Traversed all alone

Trellis – on school side

Opposite – trike ride

And novelty store

Sat class first time me

English M-A-T

Night – Aunte Mily

Came from U-A-E

Twelfth leaf memory.

-11/19/11

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas collection

65.

My Prayer Against the 7 deadly Sins

Lord, abet me put aside

The vain and frivolous pride

I nurture within me inside

Lord, do not allowto seed

Vicious barnaclesof greed

Eventhough I am inneed

Lord, erase the vanity

Revealed by mask of envy

Scarving me to atrophy

Lord, shield mefrom glaring gust

Of humid, temperatelust

For it taints mysoul with rust

Lord, allow not to gather

In my heart and mind anger

Make it lag, take it faster

Lord, let me notbe clumsy

Due to friskygluttony

Horror of obesity

Lord, shun me from insolence

Brought by putrid indolence

Rip this slough of negligence.

-11/20/11

(Dumarao)

*reflective mood

66.

Pag-asa ng Tanga

Inulo ang bato

Nabasag ang bungo

Lumukso sa laot

Pating humablot

Sa bangin tumalon

Kalansay umambon

Naglaro sa apoy

Napaso, tumaghoy

Humawak sa kidlat

Nalitson ang balat

‘Yan ang napapala

Ng tulad kong tanga

Dulot ng tadhana

O tangi mang likha

Maibalik pa kaya

Katawang luray na?

Diyos lang ang pag-asa

Ng tangang buhay pa.

-11/24/2011

(Dumarao)

*sentimental

67.

Muni-Muni ng Guni-Guni

Wala nang piglas sa bakal na gapos

Gigil na pangil ‘di pigil pagyapos

Poot ay lubusan kong natatalos

Kahit patuloy paring minumulto

Ng anino ng pumariwarang pagkatao

Huwag pong ikukubli mahabaging puso

Kahit ako’y salat na sa lakas

Dahil sa mga sugat ng nakalipas

Huwag po tutulutan na tuluyang malagas

Ako’y nakikinig sa pagbasa ng sentensya

Mga tenga’y bukas, piniringan man mga mata

Dustain man sa yamot, sa awa mo’y tiwala

Talim ng ‘yong dila sa puso tusok

Mga aral nito’y pinapapasok

Sa bulwagan ng diwang ‘di pa bulok.

-11/26/11

(Dumarao)

*sentimental mood

68.

Ode to God the Father

Almighty God creator

Only You whom we adore

Other gods – there is no more!

When everything was nothing

Already there existing

Beginning of beginning

And when everything was born

Then nothingness Thee adorn

Thy sake was never forlorn

As civilizations thrive

New generations arrive

Alongwith them, Thee survive

While everything continues

Thy omni-presence subdues

All existence it imbues

Thy prowess shall still extend

All faults and flaws, still Ye mend

Until Thy creations end!

-11/27/11

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

69.

Ode to God the Son

Almighty God our Savior

You deserve our great honor

Your mercy is Thy splendor!

Human form of God up there

Teacher, doctor, messenger

Manifest – divine power

Like us He eats, walks and sleeps

Laughs, gets angry, even weeps

Feet get hurt while tending sheeps

Being listened to and mocked

Believed, received, deceived, knocked

Driven – delayed, hastened – cocked

Subjected to mortal loss

Whose bones, flesh and blood compose

Sweat, tears, pain and timed repose

While Satan here still survives

With us to whom he connives

We’ll wait ‘til Jesus arrives!

-11/27/11

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

70.

Ode to God the Holy Spirit

Almighty God our Watcher

We bow to you forever

You’re alone our prime master!

Thy breath is source of our life

Thy light spurs our sacred strife

Thy grace eternally rife

Thy wings spread althroughout

The universe which Thee clout

Against prying evil’s snout

Thy eyes constantly watchful

On everything deem sinful

For Thy righteousness must rule

Thy words are like swords of fire

Striking pain on wrong desire

Useful virtue we acquire

God’s manifest of control

Fill with goodness every soul

Steer us, You faithful people!

-11/27/11

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

71.

Three Charms of Lus-Vi-Minda against spain

She’s Luz-Vi-Minda

Priestess of Asia

When incubus harms

She takes out her charms…

Behold! Jose Rizal!

Our hero national

Poet, doctor, researcher

Farmer, herder, school-builder

Fought Spaniardswith paper and pen

Luzon’s charm –noblest of our men!

Behold! Lapu-Lapu!

Defenderof Cebu

Firstterror of invaders

FamedMagellan’s death renders

RammedSpaniards with native bolo

Visayas’charm – quaintest hero!

Behold! Purmassuri!

AwesomeMuslim lady

Wiseheroine of Sulu

Foreignerscannot subdue

DisturbedSpaniards so tribesmen won

Mindanao’scharm – enemies thrown!

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

72.

West is Blue, East is red, Philippines is Yellow

Go out when the sun sets

Watch birds return to nests

When fishermen end quests

And farmer leave harvests

The time everyone rests

So now face to the West

See and feel where it’s best

Comfort is its behest

Blue – wall stars of U.S.

Blue – sea and sky conquest!

Go out when the sun rises

Witness birds begin quests

When fishermen cast nets

And farmers ready chests

The hour of work begets

So now turn to the East

Human faith melts mist

Red – motif of China

Red – worker’s insignia!

Go out when the sun’s highest

When shadows are shortest

Temperature’s hottest

Celestial light’s brightest

Festive moment its best

Yellow – Philippine Sun

Yellow – EDSA One!

Philippines – now behold

People – not blue and cold

Culture – not red and bold

Our nation’s not that old

New age ‘bout to unfold

Glaring yellow – sheer gold!

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

73.

The Path of Our Nation

Hey foreigner!

Search the world map

Find shapes, don’t nap

Dog’s sitting there!

West – pacific

Orient facing

Seems West guarding

Though Asiatic

Blacks – first people

Browns – main settlers

Whites – once rulers

Peopling simple

Asia’s old friend

China, India

And Arabia

Heel Islamized

Yet, Spaniards came

And made it tame

Rest Christianized

America’s

First Asian pet

New rule beget

Foreigner’s pass

When the dog’s free

From charms of boss

Suffered weight loss

Makes self hungry

But, its puppies

Away from thee

Fills their tummy

Return booties

When stocks will store

Wisely by host

Future’s not lost

New thing’s explore

Filipino –

The “World’s Servant”

Role’s important

Yellow halo!

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

74.

Plants and Animals of Earth

Earth is evergreen

With plants surrounding

Often medicine

To flesh corrupting

Earth is always sound

With faunas roaming

Free, settled, bound

Eco, they’re balancing

Plants and animals

Without them, we’re none

They’re here before us

They must not be gone.

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

75.

Three Elements of Life

Earth – this solid mass

Eversince holds us

We’ll never escape

From its tightened rape.

Water – this solvent

Makes life sufficient

Cleans and occupies

Dwindles, fall and rise.

Air – this loosened gas

Fills empty areas

Allows respiration

Triggers production.

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

76.

I Want to be One with Nature

I want to be in paradise on earth

Free from all disgusting man-made dirt.

Roll on grasses

With no itches

Soak in water

‘Til I’m cleaner

Breathe the fresh air

Shun all despair!

Make me one with God’s prior creations

Filtering all worldly pollutions.

Sleep with the beasts

Feel them at least

Swim with fishes

Cleanse blemishes

Fly with the birds

Clouds we traverse!

Because I want to be one with nature

Making slower my mortal rupture.

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

77.

My Memories of Las Piñas

Las Piñas – memories sweet

Soul was innocent and neat

I miss the friends of childhood

The closeness of neighborhood

It’s where I learned A, B, C

Twinkle Star and One-Two-Three

I miss the townhouse playground

My afternoon hang around

With Jay, Fritz, Toto, Lenlen

Yobi, Cyrene… more than ten

It’s nice when night was brown-out

My friends and I would play out

After church mass family

SM Southmall was hobby

When Holy Week was around

Night film showing on playground

Also on time of summer

Neighbors resort together

When it’s Christmas eve and night

Flood the gifts from left and right

Best in every New Year’s eve

Night’s merriest street party

Oh Casimiro Townhomes

I should have never left you!

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

78.

My Life in Dumarao

Dumarao – teen and adult abode

Where memories are both good and bad

My gratefulness when I received from thee

School honor garnered unexpectedly

But in exchange I got few friends only

Who later dwindled ‘til I was lonely

Our improved house resembling a prison

My routine changed, I was in derision

The field not ours was developed further

Without buying it from the land owner

Father’s money were quickly exhausted

Everynight’s like party – glasses toasted

Foods that we should eat – to animals fed

Chicken, pigs, pigeons, goats… later were dead

So there emerged our sari-sari store

Which I needed also to take care for

Time for fun, highschool gimmicks – missed a lot

To redeem my lost school honor I plot

Yet, all in vain; worse, my batch had fallen

In school competitions where we should win

After all, tragic OLSI memory

Taught me never again to be bossy

And when I was already in UP

My vow in life was full humility

On class days, I learned a lot in Miag-ao

On weekends, I went back to Dumarao

Where life was still and moving in slow pace

So when I thought I was behind the race

Worked even before I marched in college

On government office even low wage

Not disappointed, but discontented

To Metro Manila I bravely fled

Tutor in Korean Academy

Not fired, not reigned, left job abruptly

At those times of blatant stupidity

To home once again with my family

Maybe fate wants me to be here

Dumarao’s love for me may be sincere

And I think I’m also loving thee now

If our love fails again, there’s broken vow

Now, your weakness I slowly understand

My test of faith I patiently withstand.

-11/27/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

79.

What I Missed from School

If I’ve been not in school

Surely I missed a lot

Not only the brain tool

I’ll point to the people

Whose influence could make

Life more valuable

Were they my teachers?

And/or my classmates

Or other superiors?

They could be among them

Those whose passion, talents

Skills, like – with me the same

They were also the ones

Whose dreams and ambitions

Could be also my wants

Was afraid to reveal

What are truest in me

Harder still to conceal.

-11/28/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

80.

My Father

My Father, like the usual others

Wants to show he is a hardworker

I know his rags-to-money story

And money-to-rags tragedy

When I began to be world conscious

His presence I consider precious

When still a child I never sleep

When he’s not yet home from work and trip

I even used to take a night bath

To welcome him back

And I’ll smell good when he kisses me

Shaved bear, mustache – my cheek makes itchy

Yet, I was always excited ‘coz

There’s always a pasalubong dose

Gatorade, Chokolait, other drinks

Canned Bear Brand – we chill and drink contest

After Sunday Mass in Five Wounds Church

He would buy me goto and Yakult

I missed too his “pinapaitan”

While in Las Piñas was the last one

When Angel and SM Southmall born

Jollibee was Sunday hour sojourn

What I only hate during weekends

I was tasked to pick his white hair strands

Once he told me tales of Dumarao

And when we’re already here now…

I felt a little bit of jealous

To my cousins whom he seemed so close

Worse, I was annoyed of his hobbies

Which for me, costly, can cause disease

He’s not a drunkard before, I know

Here, he was not always at our home

I discovered his bad attitude

Loud-spoken, extravagant and proud

He would always brag about “takas”

Which I appreciate, but not that much

It was lately when I realized

That once his trait I characterized

I succeed not to follow his flaws

Thanks God who understands I forgo

Whatever bad things I have in me

Have done to others and/or to Thee

It’s not my Father’s fault anymore

So God please save him from dishonor

For I still love Tatay with all my heart!

-11/28/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

81.

My Mother

My Mother, maybe like the others

Is conscious in family matters

I know her rags-to-money story

And money-to-rags tragedy

When I began to be world conscious

Her presence I was sometimes anxious

For she used to be irritable

Making my simple flaws terrible

Occasionally, she shouts at me

Eventhough I am not far from thee

Yet, my mother’s ever generous

She’s the one who used to buy me toys

Like Tatay, she’ll not make me hungry

That’s my parent’s greatest legacy

Besides that, to her I attribute

My college institute

She worked for almost twenty-four hours

Burned too much her delicate eyebrows

I regret I still can’t compensate

Everything she had done for me great

If given chance to reincarnate

I want for myself to be a straight

So that I’ll not be again her guilt!

11/28/2011

(Dumarao)

*First incubus collection

82.

My Sibling

When she was born, they think I’m jealous

I used to pinch her skin like pillows

Maybe I am really abnormal

Her screwed up face sometimes makes me smile

Since a baby until she’s teenage

I fill her days with frivolous rage

I hope her misery would end soon

I think to her I am not a boon

In deep reality I feel sad

Everytime when Angel’s not around

Although I cursed her million times

I never regret her birth sublime

She’s God’s blessing whom I should cherish!

-11/28/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

83.

Myself

What makes me happy

Is in the end to see

Everyone happy about me

What makes me angry

Is still unclear to me

I need more self-scrutiny

What makes me sad

To quench somehow also hard

Of course – things that are bad

This is simply me…

-11/28/2011

(Dumarao)

*First Incubus collection

84.

The Sort of Pet I am to Thee

Consider that I’m not a pest

As I am subject to thy behest

Perhaps I’m a rooster

Who wakes up earlier

To tell my master

I’m ahead him/her

Perhaps I’m a cat

Who incurs my wrath

On every destructive rat

In my keeper’s hut

Perhaps I’m a canine

Who barks even past nine

When someone crosses the line

I can even break a spine

Perhaps I’m a pig

Who just lay fat and big

Can’t even do a graceful jig

Only comfort it wants to dig

Perhaps I’m a crabao

Friend of iron plow

Machine for more than just an hour

Works with even humble bow

If I’m all or none above

I hope to me you have some love.

-11/29/2011

(Dumarao)

*confused about career disposition

85.

Utang Sa’yo

Utang sa’yo

Ang aking palad na ito

Sa kabila ng kapalaluhan

Hindi pinabayaan

Mga taong mabubuti

Sa’kin ipinalamuti

Mapagbigay na mga amo

Sa’kin iginawad mo

Matatakbuhang kapitbahay

Sa’kin inialay

Masunuring mga alaga

Sa’kin ipinaubaya

Mapagpatawad at tuwid na pinuno

Sa ami’y biyaya mo

Panginoo, lahat ng palad na maganda

Ikaw ang may likha.

-11/29/2011

(Dumarao)

*self-consoling mood & consolation to others

86.

He’s the One

He’s the One

Whose genuine kindness I ignored

And even enmity I labored

Publicly I abhorred

He’s the One

Whose victory I tried to bar

When from his people I’ve departed afar

On his opponent’s nest – my childhood mirth – I gave him scar

He’s the One

Whose people would have led me

To the true path of victory

If ever I wasn’t poisoned by own false fantasy

He’s the One

Whose light revealed my darkness

On times of my great doubt and distress

Despite that, his people treated me with kindness

He’s the One

Whose followers’ door opened

When to them I was tossed once again

Although for once they’ve been threatened

He’s the One

Whose true benevolence

Slowly washes my discontent and impatience

As my hostile drive was laid into abstinence

He’s the One

Whose kindness I’m still confused

Because my guilty heart tells I’m accused

Since his generosity once I abused

He’s the One

Whose people tend me again

Who might be devising plots to cause me pain

For their master I once put in disdain

He’s the One

Whose nation may be hating me

Because I once rebelled against thee

Now I’m back, they doubt my sincerity

He’s the One

Who to our mass media is ever a hero

That’s common sense for I cannot find him a flaw

And also his lineage tells us so

He’s the one

Who can end my existence

For still I’m suspected with malevolence

What great karma brought by my negligence! ?

After all, he’s still the One

Whom I believe will be my authentic hero

If he and his people can endure me for more years to go

Since now I consider myself a fan of Pres. Noynoy Aquino…

The One whose straight path we shall not forgo!

-11/30/2011

(Dumarao)

*Yellow Poems collection for realization & consolation to others

87.

Wrong Turn

On the time when I left the straight path

Unfathomed anxiety teemed my heart

Ever doubted the resolve of my brain

If it would delight or harness some pain

The only sure thing was that

I only earned other’s wrath

When from discontent

Formed I blemished intent

I became a speck

On the eyes of the meek

Abnormal fantasy

Drained all sanity

Filled with derision

To a righteous person

Worshipped childhood idol

Whom I thought would heed my call

Thought I’d found a savior

Who would do me a favor

Upon turning away

From his opponent’s way

Onwards orange avenue

Belching fumes towards yellow hue

Traffic disturbed

Many eyes to me turned

On wrong turn entrapped

By stupid mishap

Was towed from the highway

After causing disarray

In proper seclusion

The transgressor was thrown

Behind the shadows anguishing

No orange attending

In the end it was yellow

Who ransomed ex-fellow.

-11/30/2011

(Dumarao)

*Yellow Poems collection for realization & consolation

88.

Twilight (Sunrise) of our Golden Age

Now is the time

Our moment sublime!

For so long our heroes and villains alike

Push our pride on the hike

Our insignia of light between red and blue

Feel what our banner wants to construe

Conceived on this day of red gallantry

A march to Blue serenity

East that’s Red, West that’s Blue

Philippines that’s Yellow is friend to both of you!

On EDSA, you have seen our peaceful revolution

Worthy for worldwide emulation

The champions of democracy

Whose son now seated to continue the journey

Has made clear the path

Against those who are corrupt

And so the weighing scale of justice

Shall have nothing amiss

-11/30/2011

(Dumarao)

*to be continued on December

89.

The Time when I Have No More Time to Rhyme

By this time it came the second time

The angel of death while I’m asleep

At first it was in the form of shadow

And my eyes are open – ajar

My arms I can feel numb

Seems its spirit is leaving

Seems something’s boiling in my skull

My heart beats abnormal

But I still woke up

When my mouth wailed twice

And my sister woke me

I said thanks to thee…

-12/07/2011

(Dumarao)

*Second Incubus collection – began at 11: 35 PM on our clock

90.

The Candle is About to Be Gone

And I went down the stairs

Just like I wake up in the morning

Urinated and gargled

I even put Colgate

Then I turned on my table light

But I think its fuse burned out

So I lit the blue candle

On the small figurine flower

The candle I’ve bought last Nov.1

In Dumarao cemetery – it’s a blue one

Now it’s about to go

I don’t think it can reach my remaining poems

And oh its string collapsed

Burning the plastic/fiber glass petal

So I just blew it out

It didn’t reach this last line.

-12/07/11

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

91.

I Can Still Write

Thanks for the dim light

Above the table for dining

It can still reach

The table for studying

I just turned to an angle

This notebook of my last? Poems

Thanks for this few hope

I just hope there’s no long brown-out

Thanks also to this “Angry Birds” pen

I hope it’ll not go out of ink.

-12/07/11

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

92.

While I am Here

While I am here on earth

I think I wasn’t able

To do what is best

For me, for others & for my family

I wasn’t able to express well

Nor to ingle well with others

That’s my greatest failure

I earned friends & loving people, but lost them

That is because I am selfish and aloof

Don’t be like me if you want to be happy

With my family I always have the time

But it’s empty shell for I am stupid and numb

I wasn’t able to value the good people around me

But I always want someday I’ll be with them somehow

Yet, I just hope and dream

I can never say, do & show it which I must.

-12/07/11

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

93.

When I am Gone

I think if I am gone

No one, except my family

And few neighbors around me

Whom I never interacted & spend time well

Will be the only attendants

Of my funeral

I am lucky and blessed

If there would be twenty

Who am I to expect more than that

I even didn’t expect a lot while I’m still alive

What a lonely death

What a lonely soul

I deserve it

Because I chose this destiny.

-12/07/11

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

94.

Thin Line

I cannot count the many times

When I met the thin line

Between life and death

Whenever I’m asleep

Unthinkable pain in the head

Unfeelable beat of the heart

Numbness in my arms and torso

Shortness of breath

As proven by experience

And coincided by incidence

Howling makes me call the attention

Of someone around

And waking me up

Really makes me a deal.

-12/08/11

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

95.

Born Catholic, Will Die Catholic

Baptized in Sal Ildefonso, Makati

First Communion in Five Wounds, Las Piñas

Confirmed in Our Lady of snows, Dumarao

Almost all barangays, towns & cities

In this Oriental country

Have patron saints

Who we sometimes pray to and give thanks

Others seem worshipping them too

I hope Father God is not jealous

Maybe He is… because there are Protestants

Anyway, whatever it can be

I think other religions won’t accept me

I sometimes delight singing songs

Of Muslims, Buddhists & Hindus

But on my final day

My soul will hear the songs of Catholic Church.

-12/08/2011

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

96.

To My Father

It’s awkward to write in English

So I will mix Hiligaynon

Amo lang ja, Tay, ang gusto ko ihambal

Ikaw akon japun mahal

Bisan ano pa imo ugali

Kg sa akon ini suli

Ikaw japun akon Tatay

Indi ikaw mabaylohan sg bisan sin-o

Bisan may mga ginhimo kg ginhambal ka

Gusto ko man ukon indi

Nakaapekto man ini sa akon ugali

Ukon sa akon man kabuhi

Ang akon kaakig, sunggod kg mulay

Wala tanan nagadugay

Pero ang akon pagpalangga sa imo

Akon dal-on asta sa kamatayon.

12/08/2011

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

97.

To My Mother

I’ll be using three tongues here

Hili-Tag-Lish

Ang aking Nanay

Walang kapantay

Kasama palagi sa bahay

At tuwing nalulumbay

Bisan malayo ka

Batyag ko perme imo pag-alaga

Ikaw ang nanay nga wala nagapangayo

Sg baylo nga igahatag sa imo

Kaya sa aking puso wala kang kapalit

Kahit ikaw ay palagi pang nagagalit

Bisan ako indi permi masinulondon

Sa akon kasing-kasing, ikaw ang halangdon

Bisan indi ko ipakita, sabihin at ipadama

Hanggang kamatayan, mahal kang sinta.

-12/08/2011

(Dumarao)

*2nd incubus collection

98.

Ode to My Parents

Come, tell me

How better your parents can be

I do not say I’ve got

The perfect ones and you’re not

It’s just that I want to boast

The people who are to me host

They are my Nanay & Tatay

Who will never allow me to die

It’s only for them I offer my years

I spent for nothing maybe, but full of cheers

I may not look cheerful

But my heart with hope is full

They didn’t want to make me hungry

And want to give the best they can be

Whatever bad things or words they get from me

However good to others I may seem to be

It’s only my parents who have my best love.

-12/08/2011

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

99.

To Makati

When I was with thee

My eyes can’t yet see thee well

Or my memory cannot

Remember well what I saw

When I left thee

I’ve got not much memory

When I was 21 or 22 and 23

I once again saw thee

And now! What a great city

They say and I saw you’ve got

The tallest buildings in the country

What magnificence you denied me

I don’t know if I can still be back

Oh, my birthplace…

I’ve got nothing from you…

Only a birth certificate.

-12/08/2011

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection

100.

To Las Piñas

Home of my Sweetest Dreams

My Childhood Hometown

It’s from thee where I learned

My first ABC and 1,2,3

Fresh and innocent in Carmencita

Wild and mild in SFACS

Best dwelling in Blk.6, Lot 1

Best Christmas and New Years

Songs & sights of Five Wounds

Still reverberating when I’m lonely

Memories with Len2x, Toto, Jason, Cyrene, Yobi

And other friends are good to remember

It sometimes make me feel that I’m younger

My spirit and body still wants to be there

But once I fought a harsh and dirty battle

In the belief of winning thee again

But I think I lost you forever!

-12/08/2011

(Dumarao)

*2nd Incubus collection