26.
The Irony of My Body
Look! Here’s Me! It’s my body
May be pretty, may be ugly
Care I? It’s not anybody
It’s me. It’s mine. Me’s mine only!
My body, the devil, is he
Glutton, sloth, selfishness all dear
My body, the angel, is thee
Abide law, goodness try adhere!
Protrude long horns of lust & dirt
Delight the world, hate discipline
Glow halo of heavenly mirth
Morality makes soul serene!
I am born with halo and horns
I am half-angel, half-demon!
My heart and mind: roses with thorns
Bees and worms, lo, behold, anon!
I’m growing with conscience and id
They come together within me!
Good and bad, each other they rid
Makes me bright and makes me gloomy!
Yet, however detest them both
They dwell together in one roof
Day butterfly and evening moth
I’m either they, there’s no need proof.
I’m one of two – the good and bad
This thing I can’t honestly lie!
The irony my body had
Have and will have, I can’t deny!
Testament:
The eyes that
read the Bible vast
are the same eyes that
watches lust!
The lips to Lord that
sings praises
are the same lips that
cast curses!
The limbs that
toil for survival
are the same limbs that
do brutal!
The brain that
thinks to help people
is the same brain that
plans evil!
The heart that
so loves everyone
is the same heart that
cares no one!
The body that
does good things
is the same body that
does bad things!
Whatever my body is?
-It’s only angel and devil
Whatever my body does?
-It’s only good and bad.
-02/18/2007
(Miagao)
*for Philosophy 1 under Sir Abila
---
27.
Duguang Oble
O Obleng ibig, ba’t ka inusig?
Binusalang higpit iyong bibig
Mata’y hinigop na parang tubig
Tenga’y sinuntok hanggang matulig
Dinakma’t dinurog mga bisig
Ng mga buwetreng manlulupig!
Dugo’y ‘lang habas na umiilig!
O Obleng pantas, ba’t ka ginago?
Itinuring kang peste’t bilanggo
Dura’t ihi sayo’y pinaligo
Sa hanap mong mga pagbabago
Ika’y lagi nalang binibigo
Ng sayo’y namugad na mga kwago!
Tinutuka habang dumudugo!
O Obleng bituin, ba’t ka piniga?
Laman mo’y ngitim sa pamamaga
Pinipilipit ka’t inuuga
Pangalan mo’y ipinansisiga
Kaylinaw na hangad kang ihiga
Ng mga ahas mong inaruga!
Duguang Oble! Ganti’y ibuga!
-04/03/2007
(Dumarao)
*just feel
---
28.
Tuwing Halalan
Tuwing Halalan, may kalakalan…
Palitan, tindahan ng mga pangalan
Manibalang, sariwa’t bulok man
Hilaw o hinog, merong pagpipilian.
Tuwing Halalan, may paligsahan…
Maliit, malaki, mahirap, mayaman
Basta handa at gustong lumaban
Maging sino ka man, pwedeng sumali diyan.
Tuwing Halalan, may kaaliwan…
Kantahan, sayawan at palakpakan
Kainan, kwentuhan at inuman
Wari’y may pista ang buong bayan.
Tuwing Halalan, may kasawian…
Tsisimisan, siraan, banghayan, alitan
Hamunan, bugbugan at bantaan
Hanggang kamatayan, walang uurungan.
Tuwing Halalan, may kalayaan
Pumili ng pinuno ang mamamayan
Dikta ng sarili mong isipan
O maging anong uri ng kabayaran.
Tuwing Halalan, may karanasan!
-09/29/07
(Dumarao)
*upcoming local elections
---
29.
Bihis Kanluranin
Ako’y napatingin
Sa aming salamin
Aking naaninagan
Isang bihis kanluranin…
Ako’y napadako
Sa isang museo
Si Rizal sa larawan
Naka-bihis kanluranin…
Ako’y napatanong
Sa isang may dunong
Ba’t Pilipinong turingan
Nakabihis kanluranin…
Ako’y agad tinugunan:
“Bakit? ‘Di niyo ba feel?”
-07/30/2008
(Miagao)
*for Darren Abenes in PI 100
---
30.
Pilipinang Kana
Ako’y isang Pilipina
Na nagtungo sa Tsina
Upang bumisita
Sa maysakit kong lola.
‘Di ko na ipinagtaka
Kung ako’y ‘di nakilala
Sapagkat siya’y ulyanin na.
Ang ‘di ko lang malimutan
Nang ako’y pagkamalan
Na isang taga-Kanluran.
‘Pagkat ang sinabi ba naman
“Hey, what are you doing here, woman?
Do I know any American?”
My gosh! Sa laking gulat ko
Mga mata ko’y nanlobo
At nawalan ng malay-tao.
Nang ako’y magising
Mga ilaw nakaduduling
And everybody’s dancing.
Ako’y nasa diskuhan nga pala
Nalasing at naidlip tuwina
Gayak panggala, pusturang pang-Kana.
Buhok na kinulayan
Labing nilipstikan
Mukha nga akong American.
Para sa mga di-makaunawa
At mga Maria Clarang Pilipina
‘Wag niyo akong itatwa.
Kung si Rizal nga’y naka-Americana
Ako pa kaya? – Modernang Pilipina!
-07/30/2008
(Miagao)
*for Kim Carlm Jagorin in PI 100
---
31.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Ako lang naman yaong hamak na kapuluan
Sa kontinenteng Asya bandang timog-silangan
Na minsan mo nang dinayo at pinagkanlungan.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
‘Di ba’t hindi ako ang marapat na sadyain?
Ika’y nagkamali sa dinaungang lupain!
Subalit bakit ka pa nagpumilit sa akin?
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Ano bang nasilayan at ako’y binihag mo?
Ikaw pa ang naghandog sa akin ng ngalan ko
Bininyagan na maging Romano Katoliko.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Langis ng Kristiyanismo ako ay binuhusan
‘Di nga lang lubos dumaloy hanggang talampakan
Na kay Allah ay tali na noon pa man.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Tatlong daan, tatlumpu’t taong alipin
Dugo’t laman ko’y pinagpumilitang bigkisin
Sa kultura’t kamalayang dayuhan sa akin.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Ano bang taglay mo’t nagtiis din sa’yo?
Mga dantao’y inabot bago napagtanto
Pag-alpas na marapat mula paniniil mo!
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Ginang ng karagatan kung ikaw ay turingan
Ako’y isa lang pala sa’yong anak-anakan
Na sa kapangyarihan mo’y nakipagkumpulan.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Ngayon ay isandaan at sampung taon narin
Ang nakalipas nang ako ay iyong lisanin
Pero siguradong ikaw ay nandito parin.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Bayani kong si Rizal sa’yo ay nagtungo
Upang ipabatid ang aking panlulumo
Wika mo’y inaral ngunit balewala sa’yo.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
Ngayon ako naman kung nais maunawaan
Ang tulang ito na sa’yo ang patukuyan
Ang wika kong ito naman ang ‘yong pag-aralan.
España, me todavia en tu memoria?
España, ako ba’y nasa iyo pang gunita?
-08/01/2008
(Miagao)
*for PI 100 under Sir Sansait
---
32.
Christmas Gift
I cannot give you a teddy bear
Nor a pair of shoes so fair
Not an apple, grapes nor pear
Never a soft-cushioned chair.
I cannot give you a bounty cash
Earned so slow, but spent so fast
Hurts my pocket, gives it lash
Damn that money that don’t last.
The only thing I can give you, dear
Is a greeting so sincere
“May your Christmas for this year…
Be filled with smiles – full of cheer!”
-12/14/08
(Dumarao)
*for Nene Angel…her assignment
---
33.
Araw ng Silangan
Minsan sa kasaysayan
Ang Silangan, ang Kanluran
Ay nagkasagupaan.
Sa tanghalang kamao
Sila’y nagkatagpo
Walang takbuhan dito.
Pambato ng Silangan
Praktisadong si Pacman
Walang inuurungan.
Kayraming Mehikano
Napatumba na nito
Hinamon pa ng Britano.
Ang Perlas ng Silangan
Hindi tinalikuran
Paghamok ng Kanluran.
Tila isang milagro
Two Rounds tapos ang laro
Pilipino nanalo.
-05/03/2009
*for Pacquiao fight against a British
---
34.
Mahalagang Pangulo
Unang nakilala sa Araling Panlipunan
Sa mga libro’t guro na siya’y ipinangaral
‘Sang simpleng maybahay na tanghal ng kasaysayan
Babaeng sinipa diktaduryang pinairal…
Sa kanyang panahon, ako’y ‘lang malay na musmos
Pulitika, bansa – ano’ng pakialam ko diyan?
Sa unting pagkagulang naunawaang lubos
Bansang hinayupak, pulitika’y pandirian!
Saksi kung paano ang mga hayok na tao
Na parang tubig ang kapangyarihang inuhaw
Lalo na yung mga sa trono ay nakaupo
Daig pa ang mga busabos na magnanakaw!
Mga namulatang pagluklok sa sinadlakan
Ng mga itinuring na pinuno ng bansa
Bahid ng anomalya’t ano pang karumihan
Maliban sa isa na dapat ipagdakila.
Ang nasabing pagluklok ipinagmalaki
Maging ibang bansa’y hinuwaran, itinulad
Ang Lakas ng Bayan nating ipinagpunyagi
Nagpanumbalik sa demokrasyang hinahangad.
Iyon ay dahil sa isang babaeng tumayo
Siya’y sagisag ng pag-asa’t demokrasya
Mapayapa’t malinis na inakyat ang trono
Hanggang kailan ang diktadurya kung siya ay wala?
At kahit wala na sa luklukang hinantungan
Nagsilbing halimbawa na nagmahal sa bansa
Nasilayan kong dinamayan niya’t kinalaban
Isa ring sa Pilipinas ngayon ay nagrereyna.
Sa kanyang paglisan sa mundong pinaglipasan
‘Di dapat kalimutan Dangal ng Pilipino
Itatak sa kasaysayan simple niyang pangalan
Corazon C. Aquino…Mahalagang Pangulo.
-08/05/09
(Dumarao)
*written this day of Pres. Cory Aquino’s burial
---
35.
I’m a Phoenix
I’m a Phoenix who melts in demise
From the ashes of my past I shall arise
I shall witness happily
The morning sun’s new glory
I shall rise up from my feet
With a courageous heartbeat
I shall spread out my wings wide
And set all hindrances aside
And I shall make them see
That there’s a radiant hope in me.
I’m a Phoenix, I’m a Phoenix
You shall see!
-sometime in 12/2009 – 1/2010
(Dumarao & Roxas City)
*a song to inspire self
---
36.
Kung Kaya, Sana Posible!
Labanan korapsyon
Bayan ay babangon
Pag-asang umahon
Pagbabago ngayon
-mga salita mula pa noon
tuwing sasapit panahong eleksiyon…
Kung KSP!
Labanan korapsyon
Kaya ba iyon?
Kung ang ngumangawa
Wala ring nagawa.
Kung KSP!
Bayan ay babangon
Sana pa’y noon
Kung ang nagdarasal
‘Di lang puro daldal.
Kung KSP!
Pag-asang umahon
Posible ba ‘yon?
Kung ang gumagawa
Mapanirang daga.
Kung KSP!
Pagbabago ngayon
Isang ilusyon
Kung ang binabanal
Mapanlokong hangal.
Kung KSP!
Kung Kaya, Sana Posible!
-04/14/2010
(Muntinlupa City)
*political mood this Campaign Period
---
37.
Ode to the Flower of January 2011
Got two flowers before thee
From Uncle Jake’s eulogy –
The first one was yesterday
At ‘bout twelve-thirty midday
In front CapSU-D Admin
Where with others ‘twas standin’
But inside my shirt’s pocket
Pumped already when I get
So this day his burial
While in offering floral
When with others I aligned
Got another of same kind
Along with “Lead Me Lord” song
Unnoticed amidst the throng
After got the second one
At post-necro sun was gone
To cemetery onward
For minutes, rain poured so hard
Carless, like us, stopped awhile
Till sun again showed its smile
Burial to be continued
On cemetery we should
After Uncle Jake’s son cried
Last bundles I picked with pride
Thought me I’ll change my flower
But oh! I’d to turn over
And oh! Poked Nene Intan
I got again another one
Of same color, same specie
White orchid – I got with glee
Then finally, I threw it
Inward my Uncle Jake’s pit
Yet now that I have my third
Its origin turned absurd
Confusion into my mind
Memory wants a rewind
From where did I really take
This orchid for Uncle Jake –
Was it from those turned over?...
Or from the stem thrown under?...
Anyway, this white orchid
Is for sure my greatest bid –
It heard the priest’s liturgy
Being teacher’s praiseworthy.
-01/22/11
(Dumarao)
*wants a unique poetry habit: Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011
---
38.
Ode to the Flower of February 2011
Got thee on Feb’s final day
In CapSU when clouds are gray –
Got no flower before thee
On Valentine’s Day must be
When my Ramayan students
On program displayed talents
Where showered they some flowers
For Rama-Sita lovers
But after presentation
My mind forgot its mission
Oh flower of February
Alas! Why you slipped from me?
Need to think another day
What’ver flower come what may
Days passed not so important
To get one I’m reluctant
Resolved to wait ‘til last day
And found one on a pathway
After logged out from admin
To lib while JS pendin!
-02/28/2011
(Dumarao)
*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011
---
39.
Ode to the Flower of March 2011
Got thee on so-called Lit. Day
At second Ramayan play –
Oh how this day tested me
When time came, not yet ready
8 AM our program must
Most unprepared, oh aghast
Others were out the junction
Sounds went into malfunction
Disappointed superiors
Extended out their clamors
And moved the program further
Towards a one noon after
Thanks God there’s no more trial
Lit. Day flowed through its final
Proud of my BEED IV
With their guts & splendor
But when everything’s over
Cendy left flower scepter
Then Lorie Jean picked it up
Saw it timely, got asap.
-03/08/2011
(Dumarao)
*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011
---
40.
Ode to the Flower of April 2011
Got thee at the façade
Of my father’s stone abode –
This day in world history
Important for somebody
England’s future king & queen
Just got their Royal Weddin’
While writing this poem of mine
They’re in their reception shine
Just after watching TV
I got this white pen with me
To write this poem of this month
With flower that’s not fragrant
Which I picked this afternoon
Knowing Royal Wedding’s soon
That’s ‘coz I’d no more reason
This month just went on and on
Without any occasion
Wherein I can attend on
So this fourth flora’s unique
Like a lid, like a gimmick.
-04/29/2011
*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011
---
41.
Ode to the Flower of May 2011
Got thee on twentieth May
At town hall’s façade you lay –
I planned this day to get you
Possible that we can do
For Summer Class Finale
Notable activity
Related to a lesson
The Church – Social Dimension
In white t-shirt we look neat
When we were almost complete
Under the shade while we wait
For others who seemed so late
And without hesitation
Proceeded I election
Little yellow bloom I picked
From green grasses where it sticked
So far it’s the tiniest
And obviously the humblest
Then we went to town’s parish
That moment we should cherish!
-05/20/2011
(Dumarao)
*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011
---
42.
My 1st Leaf
Got thee from tiny
Six-leaf plant only
It’s ornamental
But not so floral
It’s a “fortune” plant!
Maybe it’s father
Perhaps my mother
Or younger sister
But not me – never
Who cared to plant it
‘Twas here years ago
One, two, three or so
But leaf I picked, hey
Thirty first of May
Twenty eleven
Here inside our house
In living room, browse
On petite vase, lo
With water shallow
Near little Buddhas
‘Coz I must begin
So it’s origin
Of my Tolada
Sunrise of saga
Pinoy poetry!
-05/31 – 06/01/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection…I invented this while I was in my first “hang-over” after bonding with highschool classmates
---
43.
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
---
44.
My 3rd Leaf
Plucked thee hastily
Hoped no one saw me
A platform décor
With two others 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!
-06/03/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection
---
45.
Ode to the Flower of June 2011
Got thee at ‘bout four-thirty
While clouds are gray & 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
Went out for awhile to get
Red santan bundle that’s wet.
-06/30/2011
(Dumarao)
*Ode to the 7 Flowers of 2011
---
46.
My 4th Leaf
Got thee while walking
From school outgoing
Sidewalk ornament
Simple arrangement
You, “bougainville”?
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 away
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!
-07/30/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection
---
47.
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
PM 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 side
Kneel and Indian seat
It was eight years past
Since I was there last
Take part Padagyaw
Rejoice Dumarao
Our Lady of Snows!
-08/01/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection
---
48.
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
BSEd 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 taking
Exam not over
I noticed flower
Pre-lunch time stupor.
-08/18/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection
---
49.
Indi Na Ako!
Indi na ako maghandum
Nga mangin pulitiko
Mag-angkon sg gahum kg mga tinawo
Magpasikat sg kasarang kg mga proyekto.
Bag-o mangin pulitiko…
Indi na ako maghandum
Nga mangin negosyante
Mag-angkon sg manggad kg mga kotse.
Bag-o mangin negosyante…
Indi na ako maghandum
Nga makasulod sa media
Sa balita man ukon drama
Kapuso man ukon kapamilya.
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 nga ang paglupad padasigon
Nagpadayaw sa pulitiko, negosyante kg media tycoon
Sa tuyo nga mangin isa ka maragtason
Nanakit kg nagpahibi sg mga tagipusoon.
Bag-o maghandum nga ang paglupad padasigon…
Akon ginpasulabi ang kaugalingon
Nga ambisyon kg sakon nga balatyagon
Natabunan ang huna-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 anay patapusa
Baydan ang tanan nga utang namon nga kwarta
Mangin amigo sg madamo kg mabaton sg banwa.
Paagi sa pagbuyangyang sa 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!
-09/08-09/2011
(Dumarao)
*sentimental
---
50.
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 adopted
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