eternal

eternal
(2nd draft)

looking down, she found
the watch on her wrist
had stopped

its gears could no longer
bleed seconds, its hands
could no longer
tell the hour --

it was free.

a look of envy crossed
her very young face

but the expression
was only there a moment

before a new thought
led her to other things


Jojo
June 23

You Are Invited

Pinoypoets’ Anniversary Night @ Conspiracy


If you’re a writer, a poet, an artist or simply a lover of literature, better block off Tuesday, June 28 on your social calendar. Pinoypoets (PP), an online community of literary enthusiasts, will be holding its first anniversary bash at Conspiracy Bar in Quezon City.

The event, dubbed PP ‘to!(The Pinoypoets’ First Anniversary), promises to be an evening filled with laughter, music, and of course, excellent poetry. Prominent social, academic, and literary figures Makati Rep. Teddy Locsin Jr, Conchitina Cruz, Vin and Kris Dancel, Noel Del Prado, Joyce Burton Titular, Enrico John Torralba, Hannah Romawac, Roli Inocencio, Nerissa Del Carmen Guevarra, Monica Llamas and Gary Granada, are but a few of our guest readers.

The celebration will also be highlighted by performances from G-Strings, 10kpp, Rubberband, Johnoy Danao of Bridge, Paramita, and Hannah Romawac of Session Road.

PP ‘to!(The Pinoypoets’ First Anniversary), will start at 8 p.m. Admission is FREE. See you there! :)

A Poem and a Painting

'The Lovers' by Rene Magritte


LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Wislawa Szymborska

They're both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.

Since they'd never met before, they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways -
perhaps they've passed by each other a million times?

I want to ask them
if they don't remember -
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt “wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember.

They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.

Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday

a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?

There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.

Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream
grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.

Stopped Searching

Oh wow, talk about coincidences. I think the universe is playing a game on me, but this time, it made me smile (or rather laugh out loud like an idiot). Ok ok, I won't mess it up this time.

Doors

artwork by dave mckean

________________________________

"If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is: Infinite."
- William Blake


Why do we see what we see in the way that we see them?

And how come learning to step back, to pause, to see what we're actually doing (in the midst of eveything else that's going on in our lives) is such a hard thing to do?

________________________________

Isang Tula

Pahin(g)a
First draft


“You cannot go into the womb to form the child; it is there and makes itself and comes forth whole – and there it is and you have made it and have felt it, but it has come itself.”

- Gertrude Stein


Narito na naman ang pahina

Dinatnan ko siyang
Walang guhit
At wala pang marka

Nakikiusap
Nangungumusta

Paano nga ba muling magsisimula?

Kanina, ang dami kong napunit
Na mga salita

“Bahala na,”
Ang mga binitiwang kataga
Sa mga bagay na hindi ko pa alam

Humuhuni ang paligid
Umiikot ang aking pag-iisip

Makikipara muna
Makikibaba

Mula
Sa sinasakyang bangka
At maglalakad sa lupa

Tungo sa gubat
At mga puno
Papalayo sa mundo

Magsisiga
At maglalatag ng higaan
Na tila isang tulisan

Titingala at mapapatingin

Sa gabi
Sa mga namumuong tala

Sa dilim,
Makikinig
Sa mga tinig na nagigising

Some More Musings

somewhere, a saxophonist is playing a tune.

in different times of the day, we pick it up, some of us knowingly, and some of us unconsciously.

we hum the melody softly in our minds, and add bits and pieces of our own music, our own styles, to this original piece.


***
it was good talking to you over a warm cup of coffee. the rain stopped for a few brief moments and everything was okay.

everything IS okay.


***
Namaste.

Back

Just got back from my online hiatus.
Looks like things are back to normal.