Wrap me in paper.
Adorn me with ribbons.
A tag addressed "only for you."
I shall offer the most fragile of gifts, myself.

parang paskong walang pamilya

parang sabaw na walang asin

parang punong walang dahon

parang gabing walang bituin

I could no longer make a poem
For my mind has gone silent
Tried to swallow, choked on words
How pitifully malevolent.

I see my reflection in the mirror
But that wasn't really me
I see pain behind the smile
But the eyes were filled with glee.

Red was the color–
Of the stain on her cheeks
Blue was once the sky
But now it all can't be fixed.

I could not understand
How quick it was to change
But it wasn't entirely true...
Still see me within your range?

I may be what I appear to be
But deep within, I'm scared
Please hold me, don't let go
For all the memories that we shared

I can't assure that I could stay
But I'll still be right here
This love could only grow
Even if I disappear.

Thank you, I'm sorry
This won't be goodbye...
I guess I finally made a poem
And no, I won't say I'll die.

The screech of war,
The shrieks of the departed,
The voices of the people,
That have changed this world,
That echo through the centuries.

They shall not grow old,
As we grow old.
Age shall not wear them,
Nor years condemn,
After the setting of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them, we will remember them.

Lurker of the shadows,
Beholder of the truth,
Would you still come to the tree
That bears no fruit?

                          Such curious wood
     Such a semblance of weakness
                However I still approach
            *As I am no beholder, but I a
                                                   seeker

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