The Powerful Meme Generation

We are the powerful meme generation

We're the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidts

Because we're already broke

Instead of crumbling, embracing insanity

We retreat online

Where there's an AU we can get lost in

But we keep breaking the internet

Like, somehow, going viral and amusing millions

Make up for the hilarious joke we call reality

Stray Eyelashes and Such

I stopped believing wishes would come true.
I used to try hard—
We all did.

Jump high
        every New Year.
Blow candles
        on birthday cakes.
Blow away
        stray eyelashes from your face.
Close your eyes
        after seeing a falling star.
Hold your breath
        when crossing a bridge you've never crossed before.

What did you wish for?
What did I wish for?

What do I wish for?

It all seems ridiculous now.
Wishes.
Our bizarre rituals to make them happen.

When did it all start to go sour?
Why did we stop believing?
Why did I?

We grew up, that's why.
Really.
It all seems laughable now.
Futile.

But it was magical, wasn't it?
Back when we still whispered wishes—
Our well-guarded secrets passed on to the wind—
And hoped the forces of the universe
Could make them happen
Somehow.

The illusion was good while it lasted.

World Poetry Day 2018

I only have this for World Poetry Day this year. :(

Ever wonder why clouds are a stuff of daydreams?
How a bundled mass of condensed vapor can trigger
Thoughts of floating and flying and escape?
Is that why people like me look out of windows
And stare at the sky?

Endlessly.
Pining for an illusion we can't grasp.

For what are clouds, really?
That they can make us feel free and shackled at the same time?
They're just haze.

Just.

But I still sigh as I look out my window and burn holes at the sky.

Of Desires and Secret Messages

I stare into space once again,

A habit I cannot let go.
My mind is foggy and my breathing shallow.

Suspended in time---I float and wallow.
Open secret dimensions, I beg of you.

Bring me to eternal sunsets, and let me dance in fairy lights.
Only then will I be able to---might be able to---breathe freely.
Rain is in forecast, is it not?
Escape---since we cannot disappear into an another here, will you do it then?
Dance in the rain with me?

Para sa Minamahal Kong Pagong

Aking bitwin
Mga ngiting dala'y hangin
Init ng pangungulila'y pawiin

Wag mag atubiling suyuin
Itong pusong nabibitin

Halina't hagkan aking damdamin
At nawa'y iyong dinggin
Mga tulang ginugunita ang 'yong ningning

Mga Hinaing at Pagsusumamo

Nais kong makita
Ang kislap ng iyong mga mata.
Ako'y nangungulila
Sa iyong mga tawa.
Nakikinig ka ba
Sa aking pagsinta?
Nawa'y ako'y iyong magunita
Sa tuwing mabasa itong tula

Pagka-inip at Kamatayan

Buhay.

Ano ang silbi ng buhay
Kung ang aking pagkatao'y
Binabalot ng dilim at ginaw?
Ang aking puso ay lumulutang
Sa walang hanggang kawalan.

Kawalan.

Walang laman ang aking kalooban.
Ako ay naglalakad patungo
Sa isang kinabukasang walang saysay.

Naglalakad. Naghihintay.

Sa kamatayan na magpapalaya
Sa aking nagliliyab ng pighati.

When I Went to a Poetry Reading Event, Prepared a Poem, and Was Too Gutless to Read in Front of an Audience

What the fuck is new, right?
This is the same, old bullshit about paranoia and anxiety attacks.
I bet anyone will be tired of reading about them.
Hell, I'm tired of writing about them.
But they hold me in a tight grip, and I'm too tired to fight them off.

So instead of taking advantage of the open mic and reading my poem, I recorded it in a video, hours after the event, in the safety of my room---where my friends, panic and doubt, are kept at bay.

I should have read my poem on that stage.
I should have. :/
Sigh.

World Poetry Day 2016

I'm late. Again. What can I do? I procrastinate.
And it's not like I have followers, so it won't make any difference if I'm on time or not.

Anyway, as the title promptly provided, this post is for World Poetry Day--which was yesterday. But since it's still March 21 in some parts of the world, I think this tardiness isn't such a grave offense. Anyway, no use explaining. Here are the links to the poems I made in the days preceding World Poetry Day: Of Supernovas and Parallel Universes, Merong Alak at Pulutan, and Tanaga Para Kay Lara. The last one is dedicated to my ate and guru/sensei in the workplace, Lara Francheska. She's leaving for a new company soon. TT

I also tried spoken-word poetry for the first time! Yay! It's titled This Is What I Think When I Talk to People. Please be kind when watching my piece. :)

So, I guess that's it. Hope my pieces have touched you somehow. <3

Merong Alak at Pulutan

Kapag ika'y may dinaramdam,
Sakit sa ulo o ano man,
Wag na wag mong kalilimutan
Merong alak at pulutan.

Masakit ba ang iyong likod
Sa buong araw na pagkayod?
Kahit wala na atang natira sa sahod
Dre, sa isang bote ng alak, 
Tiyak mawawala iyong pagod.

Sa bawat hapdi at pighati
Na dulot ng pusong sawi,
Wag na wag mong ikukubli;
Pait na damdami'y sa alak ibahagi.

Kapag kailangan ng kasama
Sa pagharap ng mga problema,
O tila alak ay di sapat para sa pagluluksa,
Ako'y nandito, kaibigan; Wag mag-alala.

Bibili tayo ng alak sa tindahan
Gabi'y mapupuno nga tawanan at usapan
Haharanahan natin ang marikit na buwan
At uubusin ang kukurampot na yaman

Kaya wag nang malungkot, kaibigan.
Ano man kalaki ang iyong pinagdaraanan,
Lagi mong tatandaan---
Merong alak at pulutan.

Of Supernovas and Parallel Universes

You know how the forces of the universe
Are so powerful they can compel stars
To explode into blazing supernovas?
Then transform them into endless black holes -- 
Ominous, mysterious, beautiful?

Those are the same forces that pull me to you.
The same energies that push you to someone else.
So, tell me, What can I do against such raw power?

Braver souls may have fought.
May have raged with tears and blood.
May have pulled their guts from the inside out,
Placed them in front of their shields made of bones
Tied together by bloodied heartstrings,
And charged forward, challenging fate to break their conviction.

And they may have succeeded.
Or perhaps they may have been destroyed in the silly war they have waged.
But they would have fought hard,
Until there were no bones left to break.
No blood to spill.
Is love a worthy prize for such terrible sacrifice?

Alas, I will never know.
For I have the courage of a worm;
I have the strength of a bubble floating in the wind.
Fragile.
Unable to defy the limits of my circumstance.

I will never be able to stop you from going to her.
After all, who am I to you?
You live in a universe that revolves around her.
While I'm here -- in my messed up, wretched world --
Forever haunted by the ghost of your smile.

Of Queues and Daydreams

Long lines
How much longer?

Long queues
Am I to wonder?
About witches and wizards
And mutants and fairies?
About daydreams--
Both reachable and farfetched
About fantasies--
Both of innocent romances
And of guilty pleasures?

Am I to continue guessing?
Is that person staring?
Should I stop mouthing lyrics?
I'm running low on breath mints

Lull moments
Am I to endure awkward silences?
Am I to suffer idle chit-chat?
Am I supposed to enjoy this torture?
Waiting is the worst.

Sabaw

Ako'y tatanga-tanga

Sabog utak at mata
Kailan ba mawawala
Inip, antok, at nganga?

Lovely Jean

Wake up
Come see the morning sun
It shines bright
Just for you

Come now, my love
Come feel the wind
Let it kiss your cares away
That is what I always say

Dance to the enchanting sound
Of the beating of your big heart
Feel the rhythm of your being
Let it out like there's no tomorrow

You are reborn to sing
With the sweetest music of your soul
This is your moment, my darling
Savor the entirety of your existence

Live today
Like it's your first time breathing
Feel the rush!
You are alive and beautiful and free

June 7, 2013

Happy birthday, Mama. <3

Saglit

Sa pagmumuni-muni

Maliit na sandali

Hangin ay umiihip

Nasagi ka sa isip

Photo credit: Myra Escoro

Note: There is obviously no presence of any wind in the picture. Nevertheless, I will not apologize for my vanity. :p

Kabilang Dulo ng Pulang Sinulid

Saan ka hahanapin?

Ako sana’y hintayin

Sana ay pagtagpuin

Tadhana’y alanganin

created: March 26, 2013

Photo credit: http://courtneywirthit.tumblr.com/

When I’m Left with Nothing

The days are too long

Nights are much longer

Every day goes on and on

No change, no surprise

Nothing

I do nothing

But wait for darkness to come by

Count the minutes before dawn

Give in to the mundane

Everything fails to impress

Everyone becomes a faceless blur

Seems the only worthwhile thing to do

Is to cock my head and stare at space

created: April 8, 2013

She Said the Moon Is for Writers

She said the moon has been created
For writers to gaze at
Alas! I have this box of a room
I can't see it from my window

I can't possess the magic then?
I can't be part of the fellowship?
I can't be enlightened
As the thousand others who can see?

Rizal was in prison
With bars and chains and guards
There was probably no moon there too
He probably felt alone too

But hey! He created a masterpiece
He created something that inspires
Even though there was (probably) no moon
To guide his unsteady quill

Perhaps I can be the same too
Or perhaps I can just cut a moon
And place it on my wall
I'll put tiny golden stars as well
I'll make it as bright as the evening sky

Yes . . . Yes . . .
I can do that
And I will stare at it always
Until I'm old and fat

Photo credit: Google Images

Scribbles on Blank Pages

An artist fears a blank canvas

A writer fears a blank paper

Is there a difference if the paper is lined?

Will lines stimulate the doubting mind?

I, for one, am baffled by blank spaces

I might not survive if you forced me to minimalism!

The blank paper is a cage

Trapping my thoughts within its four, white corners

So I scribble and I doodle and I scribble some more

I would have doodled all the way if I knew how to draw

Scribble, scribble, scribble

Scribble, scribble, scribble

I scribble until my blank page is full

Alas! My thoughts are still nowhere

Or everywhere—

Scattering fear and frustration in my messed up

Hole of a room

created: March 8, 2013

Tanaga Para Kay Milo David

Ikaw ay nalulunod

Sa ulan sumusugod

Kalungkutang lunas ay

Musika at pagka-high

Photo credit: Google Images