My Poems 26 - 50

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 1^st 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 4^th 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

4^th Leaf’s connected

3^rd Leaf’s appendix

Book-making matrix

Now it’s really real!

 

-07/30/2011

(Dumarao)

*My Toladas Collection

---

47.

My 5^th 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 6^th 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 7^th 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