Like the waves
clashing against one another
Struggling to keep up,
but aware of the power

Rising up,
streaming down
rushing and hurdling
coming ashore

As the sun radiates
illuminating the water,
I can see crystal clear
there is hope.

My country is an old book with a crumbly, dusty cover;
original and valuable
Like a book, you don't judge it by its cover.
What's inside it is what defines it.
Gently open it;
Read each word with heart,
Uncover its uniqueness
till it brings delight.
Find the book enjoying,
You'll never wish for it to end.
You'll read it one more time,
You'll show loftiness to it.
Oh, fellowmen, we're proud of our country
Even if we're not;
Our mouths say we are, but our hearts deny.
Oh beloved country,
We discerned ourselves
through judging you
because of our own fault.

**© Frank Lloyd Manalang, 2014

Tayo lang naman ang magkasamang umukit ng hugis puso sa mga bituin,
magkahawak ang mga kamay habang nagkukuwentuhan ng mga pangarap at hangarin

Sana... hindi muna magtapos ang gabing ito
Kung magagawa kong banatin at pahabain pa ang oras para lamang mapatagal sa'yong piling

Ngunit kinaumagahan na nang ako'y magising...

Akap akap ang sarili, mabigat ang damdamin
Nagbuntong-hininga't bumulong nalang sa hangin

Hindi ko na alam kung ligaya pa ba ang tunay na hangad
Bakit ba lagi nalang ganito...
Sa panaginip, patuloy mo akong dinadalaw
Naniniwala ako sa salitang 'tayo' ngunit heto't nag-iisa na naman ako

Naaalala mo pa ba noong sabay pa tayong umuwi
Isa iyon sa mga  hindi malilimutang sandali
Naaalala mo pa ba noong inaalagaan natin ang isa't isa
Patunay iyon na hindi ko kaya nang wala ka

Naaalala mo pa ba noong sabay tayong kumakanta
Sa mga awit ba minsa'y ginagawang tula
At kapag hindi naabot ang mataas na nota
Sabay tayong tatawa pagkatapos ay kakanta ng iba

Naaalala mo pa ba noong may sumusuyo sayong ginoo
Makamit lamang ang matamis **** oo
Hindi nagkulang sa pagbibigay ng payo
Upang magandang landas ang tahakin mo

Ngayon napatunayan ko na
Damdamin lang pala talaga ang nagiiba
Ngunit mananatili pa rin ang ating mga alaala
Sa ating puso at kaluluwa

Lahat ng mga nabanggit kong alaala
Ay nagawa niyo na ding dalawa
Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit makita na;
Mas mukha kang masaya kapag kasama mo siya.

**© Arlene Rioflorido, 2015

Time seems to go by,
but pause at the same time.
The earth rotates,
but why can't we notice?
The volcanoes are erupting,
but nothing comes out.
The tides are high and strong,
but doesn't seem to impact.

Tears that seem so plain
never enough without a reason
Always on the back of my mind,
thoughts loose like blood dripping
Can't you see I bear crystals
from picking thorns off a rose?
Every night I dive into the ocean
swimming freely with electric eels

You were the star that watched me,
twinkling in a vast dim space;
You were the candle in the middle of the room,
sending wisps of smoke in air.

You built a pathway for the microchip,
directing energies from place to place;
You weaved your words into my mind
and left with an unfinished blanket.

The moon was still up in the midst of the day,
the clouds are spouting rainbows as rain.
The years have passed, this flower has not bloomed
Will this ever be the day I awaited?

Kung pwede lang sana
Na baguhin ang tadhana
Upang kahit sa huling pagkakataon,
Mabawi ang mga nawalang taon

Kung pwede lang sana
Na ika'y muling makasama
At masilayan muli ang iyong mga ngiti
Kung pwede lang sana, ganun nalang palagi

Kung pwede lang sana
Na mas maaga kong naalala
Ang lahat ng ginawa mo para sa akin
Sinayang ko lang ang iyong pagiging akin

Kung pwede lang sana
Na muling lumigaya...
Ngunit wala ka na sa'king tabi
Kaya ngayon, ako'y lubusang nagsisisi

Hindi ko tanda kung bakit
Basta't alam kong masakit...
Masakit ang iwan ka ng taong mahal mo
Tulad na lamang ng  pang-iiwan ko sa'yo

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang rason
Basta't mga damdaming ito'y dapat nang ibaon
Na dapat na lamang limutin ang lahat
Ngunit yun pala'y, hindi ito sapat

Aaminin ko na ngayon na ako'y nagkamali
Na ang iyong pagtitiwala'y tuluyan kong binali
Bakit ko nga ba nagawa ang mga bagay na iyon?
Na pati pagmamahal mo'y basta nalang tinapon

Ako'y di karapat dapat sa isang tulad mo
Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, sana'y dinggin mo ako
Limutin na natin ang mapait na nakaraan
Pagkat Diyos na rin mismo ang gumawa ng paraan...

Kundi dahil sa aksidente, di ako matatauhan
Sa pagmamahalan nating puro galit at tampuhan
Kaya burahin na natin at magsimula muli
Gawin ang tama't huwag nang mag-atubili

Pasensya na rin kung di kita lubusang tanda
Basta't sa kinabukasan, tayo'y maghanda
Paano nalang kaya ang buhay ko kung wala ka?
Laking pasasalamat ko nalang  sa'king amnesya

Kitang kita **** nagniningning ang kanyang mga mata sa malalim na gabi.
Mas maaliwalas pa kaysa sa buwan at sa mga kumikinang kinang na mga bituin.

parang paskong walang pamilya

parang sabaw na walang asin

parang punong walang dahon

parang gabing walang bituin

When I hear the raindrops falling,
When the birds chirp and sing,
When sunlight streaks through daylight,
All I think of is one thing…

When a song plays on the radio,
My mind begins to tell a tale
Flashbacks come strolling,
The Voyager starts to sail.

It was a fairytale brought to life
And you were my angel in disguise
You made a warm glow inside of me
And cleared my heart from past lies

You splashed color on the canvas
And spread glitter in my eyes
We had planned the future together
But why did we have to bid goodbyes?

You always say I Love You
But now you refuse to care
What had happened to all the promises?
And the crazy love we share?

It had been going so well
‘Till you decided that it’s over
Was I the reason why you changed?
And had to find another lover?

All the memories that we had,
And the feelings still remain
Why had things been so different now?
When could I escape this sadness and pain?

How I miss the golden days,
When all our laughs and smiles were true
When I was still me,
And you were still you.

•
Duterte said, "My gahd I hate drugs."
Do drugs if ever you want free hugs
With some cardboard and tape embracing you
And a statement saying: "I did drugs too."
•
Do you see a turtle swimming in the air?
I know we're lucky, to see a sight so rare
Swirls and swivels make you feel so alive
Oblivious to the life that you are being deprived.
•
Wait. Where do I live? The monsters are near
If I enter this tunnel, there'll be nothing to fear
There's a rope in the sky, way up high
If I grab this light, will I...

A hollow stone,
Strong and sturdy.
Slowly weakening;
Corrupted by weather.

Try to dab,
Feel the cracks
Whisper one word,
Enjoy it crumble.

Eyes open,
Switch: off
Grinning and laughing,
Repeatedly cursed.

We trailed through the moonlit road
As I wiped the tears that streamed my face—
Everything was calm, everything was serene
It felt like we were passing by a city
That had long fallen to deep slumber;
Where had once all the rushing cars had gone,
Back and forth, non-stop, as their engines rattled
With much desperation, pleading to rest.

Step by step, we slowed our pace, feeling the cool breeze shying from us
As we came to a halt.
The leaves ruffled, still, and the stars twinkled brighlty.
Everything seemed to come together in perfect harmony.
It all felt quite bizzare yet astounding;
quite frightening yet calming;
quite gloomy yet comforting.
It was unlike anything I've ever experienced before–
Perhaps my heart and mind had finally been at peace
And that the turmoil inside had faded into nonexistence.

• ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ •
Who knew that what a known-to-be ordinary walk
Could turn into a magnificent, almost magical cure-
A cure for the mind that's filled with cloudy thoughts,
And a cure for the heart filled with pain and faults.
But what had truly made things better was..
Having you by my side amidst the whole tranquility
The entire scenery might have felt mysteriously unreal to me
But your presence was my reminder that it was all reality.
• ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ •

They keep throwing things at my face
Running away from this toxic place.
I plead and ask for a confrontation...
Nothing to do but accept this mutation.

They've been away now, for far too long
Maybe it's me, that they see is wrong.
I never deserved this kind of treatment,
but it's what they do for their own entertainment.

I know I'm human, not a toy nor a pet,
but it's all the cruelty and the insults I get;
Snickering and bickering at my every detriment
Always saying: I'm just a failed experiment.

They won't come near me, never again.
The terror in their eyes, they'll forever retain
Seeing the beast that I've now become
The wrath I've held in, I finally succumbed.

I have a mouth, but I cannot speak.
I have two eyes, but I cannot see.
I have two ears, but I cannot hear.
I have two feet, but I cannot walk.
I have two hands, but I cannot touch;
I cannot feel not even a single thing.
Is this the one, the numbness that I feel?

                                                      I have a body, but we are apart.
                               I am complete, but I feel empty in my heart.
                                                      I must be missing pieces of me.
                                              But I am whole, why can I not see?!
                                     These holes inside, they cannot be filled.
                              My dilapitated house, must never be rebuilt.
                                                 Please stay away and leave me be.  
                                              My isolation is what keeps me sane,
                                                         ­                             **it sets me free

You remind me of daffodils...
Oh, how silly life had been
T'was all so sweet, but I was left with your after taste

Reverse the clock,
Step in and ripple.
Find the key to this lock
Don't need help from people.

All alone you were,
But no need to be afraid.
Don't need to start a war
It's no game. It is not played.

I told you several times,
But you stop and rewind
I'm finally losing rhymes,
Please make up your mind!

Think and you'll see,
It won't go on forever
Your heart wants to flee
The flames of life's fever.

The hours are fading
And withering in
Upon her blossoming cheeks
Yet ruthless skin.

To turn your back and walk away
Away from what you once held dear
Oh dear, you knew you had to go
Go to where the wind will take you
You befriended melancholy
Melancholy was stuck with you
You were merry, you must admit
Admit that it was all okay
"Okay" is what you always say
Won't say for fear of them to know
Know the truth, it can only hurt
Hurt the ones you cherish the most
Most of them will be kept inside
Inside where they can safely slumber
So slumber now though do not sink
Sink in the letters of goodbye

Spilled the water
but did not mind.
Worry not,
it can go on it's own.
Clear it up
it's up to you
Let it dry and
watch it go in a blink of an eye.

You chose to take a step
and there it was.
Colored with dirt
all around and left a mark
You thought it was funny,
but see who's laughing now.
Fine by me
No hellos, no goodbyes.

I never thought I would ever see a beautiful face with a kind heart.
When I look into your eyes, I feel happiness inside my heart.
Are you an angel that came before me to wipe the tears in my heart?
You are a gift from above, how I wish to be your friend and never be apart.

Your beauty amazes me, you are my inspiration.
I know I'm not worthy, but you can count on me on any situation.
You can trust me, I'll make you happy, here's my shoulder to cry on.
I'll do everything to make you happy, look at me you've got my attention.

How I wish you could give me a chance to prove my worth as your friend.
You're my dream come true, I hope to walk with you along the road with no end.
'Cause to be with you brings happiness in my heart.
An angel that brings me joy, please don't break my heart.

**© Hans Quintanilla, 2014

I ask and you say nothing
You only tell me when it's late.
And the same thing kept repeating
Until I stopped and said no more.

You'd pass by me like time
And easily see right through me
Guess that's what I deserve,
To be treated as nonexistent.

Was I the first to avoid? To ignore?
I was always there for you.
I was your blue curtain
Now I'm just your dusty shelf.

I changed because you told me to
Followed the tracks to who you are
Now that you see what I've become,
You left me longing and wondering.

Here I am now, silently watching
As you enjoy; grinning and laughing
While I'm hidden in a faded corner,
covered in dust, insane and crying.

I.
I have accepted my fate;
My inability to move, to speak
The fast-paced switching of scenes
Each time I get to blink.

I do understand the gap—
The pressure of compactibility; claustrophobia
Interferance may set you ablaze–
Or so I told myself.

II.
It has always been like this:
An ever-repeating cycle
The blending and molding
Into what I ought to be.

Time became my comfort
As I warmed and accepted change
Pieces of me were scattered
Now, I am complete.

On thin, white sheets, today, I lay
Each IV drop, brings me dismay
There's something I have longed to say...
You pull the plug and make my day.

crumbs colliding
to form a singularity,
gave birth to my
own destruction

I wonder
when soon really is
I wonder
if I could still see tomorrow
I wonder
if I could measure *'forever'

I wonder and wonder and wonder

I wonder
how this all began
I wonder
just how would it end
I wonder
who you were before

I still wonder and wonder and wonder

I wonder
if it was a blessing
I wonder
perhaps it's a curse
I wonder
to where I would go

*When I think of you, I wonder...

Let not fear be a hindrance
To the things you wish to say or do
And so as the gloom of day
Keep you static, unmoving

Supress no longer
The emotions you bottled within
And let your thoughts ascend
Unto their own paths

* *

Endure the flow;
Leave the circuitry be
Let the pulsations persist;
Let yourself feel a moment for once

Or must the weight of the shadow remain to envelop you
Unless you choose to break away–
Not only shall the sunshine touch your skin,
But the crystals be absorbed and dissolved

What is that I see?
Something from afar
I went out to reach it
My savior, at last you've come!

A gentle touch on the arm,
all the memories came before me.
Eternal peace I sought
I found when you came along.

She did not find the grim
in falling apart. For
every time she found herself
to be broken, she knew
she was brutally remaking
herself, and collapsing
to be reborn like a
rioting star; haunting the
dark sky.

**© R.M. Drake

At the moment, I'm out of ink
But give some time to let me think...
Maybe by then.. but let's just see...
In the mean time, let's draw a tree

A tree, I drew, so lush and green
But its vibrant color cannot be seen...
So with one last look and a heavy sigh,
I crumpled the paper then bid it goodbye

With a fresh new paper, i picked up my pen
Closed my eyes then counted to ten...
Maybe by then.. oh let's just see...
Start anew, let those words run free!

Off to start anew, I opened my eyes
But was frozen in place—met a great surprise
Every single thing... all that's around...
The moon had plummeted unto the ground.

The chapter is ending;
this star is dying.
I bid it goodbye
with no droplets of tears.
I look up and smile,
holding on to this packet of stardust.

Under the shade
of my shadow,
where only warmth
I can feel
No judging how it's burning,
but with only "why"
to put it out.

This passionate fire raging,
accompanied by skipping beats
of a drum;
No wonder why I stayed here
it's fuel never runs out.

Drove away, broke the breaks
Closed my eyes... where am I now?
Perhaps I've sailed
too close to the sky.
Rowing and rowing,
unminding the splinters.
To bleed just a little
And bleed more and more.

If I'd fly an airplane,
I'd explore the seas
To chuckle underwater
watching a submarine burn.
Went a little insane
or so I was told.
Said they'll build me a fortress,
but they'd call it an asylum.

They'd always visit
when most are fast asleep
Running back and forth
as their tails touch the floor.
I love how their eyes glisten,
clustered stars in a black hole.
But they only saw me once
through the window on the door.

Freed at last!
Or so I thought.
They gave me shelter -
the finest they had.
Pinpointing I was happy
whilst their words deny
So mute the sound,
see how they open their mouths.

Maybe I was stable
so they let me be.
But the more I stay,
the more I drift away.
They may see the goodness,
but I only see the sins.
Crawled back to my asylum -
**the place where I should be.

There was this little girl,
So innocent and pure
Until there came a day,
a trap-she was lured.

She tasted cruelty;
violence unveiled
before her very eyes.
A surprise was then revealed.

The world showed the truth;
The mask was uncovered,
Behind all the beauty,
Evil was discovered.

She wept and wept
day after day
With her helpless little heart,
the demons came to play

She did nothing more
and nothing less
Instead, isolated herself
from all the rest.

The ground is trembling!
Mother, mother, why is it so dark?
What is that? A glowing beam!
Begone awaken souls!
Run, run, but only to return.

*© Cyrille Octaviano, 2014

.

Plays the music
of sweet symphony
Glowing, growing hearts,
my genuine melody
The song goes on
with awe and excitement
perfect and clean 'till
A tick here, a tick there
Where is that from?
Never knew there's a beat
says the metronome.
And it begins, it fades
must crank it to go on
harder and faster
But it stopped.

Scratching and screeching,
give it a little tap.
It plays once again,
but rewinds and rewinds
"Nobody loves you,
Nobody did."
Words I've never heard,
tune was unknown
"It was your time
yet you awoke."

The song intensifies

Walls are crashing,
dreams drifting away
I knew it had to stop.
My ears were bleeding,
eyes were tearing
I didn't have the power
so I let it be...
It never stopped,
but my heart did.
My body, fresh and pure
hiding the decayed inside.

Splashes of ink
Scatter amidst the land
Harrowing it may seem,
All in a tremendous disarray.

Thou cannot strain
As substantial as the others,
But thy will strive
For thine destiny.

Thy purity had been lost
Innocence, stolen
Engrossed in war,
Several, forgotten

Innumerable lives had been adrift
In an inexorable execution.
How could this be?
Humanity has not yet been conceived.

Could not they concede,
Their ways were transgress
Thou say to thee,
You are solely mere grime.

Hope is still existing
Freedom will be the next
For thine liberty,
Captivity won't ever transpire.

I thank thee for the fortitude
All who ventured in lethal combat
As thou reminisce the occurrences
In what ye entitle now as "history."

I keep on turning
and skipping pages,
blank as they may be

Reckless enough to
lose them in the way,
still continuing

Life had given me
another book to
be written upon

And yet here I am:
starting and stopping
on a blank canvas

* *