All is silent; still is the deep of night.
  I look below, cannot see what I feel
beneath my feet. One prevailing insight,
  known only in a sense, goes unrevealed.
I do not fear its truth, neither contest
  it does not know me. Within it, I stand.
An absurd sureness, an uninvited guest,
  has touched the base of what I understand,
now all mind and motion acts in tandem.
  I taste the salt of the air, feel the breeze,
the oceans rhythm becomes who I am.
  Rhythm becomes me, puts the mind at ease.
I feel the calm, hear the call of the night,
  look above, see stars amongst the moonlight.

Preserve your heart for someone who’s eager’
To make a home in the flesh of your heart,
Someone who’s eager to swim in your skin,
Someone who’s eager to have you completely,
Someone who’s eager to love you deeply,
Save your heart the broken!

By: Nida Mahmoed.

First day we met I thought you were so beautiful.
No one could tell me any different this was irrefutable.
I caught feelings for you like a fool.
What was I thinking you would go for me in high school.
I used to make you laugh and make you smile.
Seeing you happy keep me going for a while.
We used to sit outside for hours looking at the stars.
Tell each other how this world was going to be ours.
I felt like J. Cole straight power trippin.
Wondering if I was going to be part of your life decision.
But I should've known better from your tone.
I was only good for you in the friend zone.
Instead you'd date guys who are bad from the start.
Who would do nothing other than just break your heart.
Of course I'd be there to comfort you, saying you were strong.
Wondering why I couldn't be your boyfriend all along.
Fast forward years later I finally told you how I felt.
When you didn't feel the same way my heart started to melt.
You made me feel  alone and broken.
Filled with  overwhelming emotion.
Everyday I try to forget about you.
Knowing love is never true.
Because of you, I play women like an imposter.
You're my Dr. Frankenstein girl, and I am your monster.

(from September, 2015)

An omen, a portent-
heralding the coming
of autumn and winter-
As Orion graces heaven's center stage

Mornings  become more crisp-
the aroma of fresh, hot coffee,
Permeating  from a cup on the patio table,
forces the senses to ask for more.

Fireplaces will send wisps of smoke
up their chimneys and over rooftops,
Adding to the exhilaration of knowing
that it's going to be a "good day."

If only the concrete could change colors-
as do the leaves.


copyright: richard riddle-September 11, 2015

Bakit ang tulin?
Hindi ba pwedeng pahintuin?
Oras, ba't ang bilis mo?
Pagbigyan mo naman ako.

Bakit panandalian lang?
Bakit parang napakakulang?
Ang palaging tanong sa'king sarili,
Di ba pwedeng dito'y manatili?

Parang isang kisapmata,
'tong ating pagsasama,
Akin mang gustuhin,
Oras, di kayang pigilin.

Nakakapanghinayang, nakakapanlumo,
Di magawa ang tanging gusto,
Kahit man lang mag-umpisa ng usapan,
Ako'y sadyang nahihirapan.

Hay nalang, paano na iyon?
Mauulit pa ba ang nangyari kahapon?
Alam ko sa sarili ang sagot,
Ngunit ang katotohana'y sapilitang nililimot.

Ang mga panahong ito'y di masusuklian,
Dahil ang oras, di kayang tumbasan,
Di kayang bilihin ng kayamanan,
Mga oras na kasama ka, aking kaibigan.

Ma-iiwan sa'ting mga nakaraan,
Di alam kung tatatak sa'ting isipan,
Ang mga nagdaang panahon tulad nito,
Parang kapayapaan paglipas ng bagyo.

A walk to a known place,
I cannot help but glimpse the mirage of your face,

Finest of hair and the brightest of eyes,
It's here you caught me by surprise,

Serene moments like these were made to please,
Casted aside was our unease,

Yet, every moment predated,
If only you could have waited.

This morning before
I ever lifted my head,
I turned to see
Your half of the bed.
And what a harsh reminder
Of how I'm growing old
With your side of the bed
Still unbearably cold.
Your sheets are not tossed,
Your pillow unpressed--
All lovely reminders
Of my current distress.
Was it not merely a month ago
That I was curled against your skin?
We were perfect puzzle pieces,
Your shoulder to my chin.
All day long
We would curl up and sleep
With nothing like time
And business to keep.
But what a terrible disease
Lurked inside my mind.
I never thought I could be
So selfish and unkind.
If only I had known
I was capable of such sin
I never would have let
Our cursed romance begin.
I could promise to never
Let it happen again.
I could take my pills
Like I refused to then.
I could be so much better,
My darling, please see.
If only, if only
You'd come back to me.