Showing posts with label daylight. Show all posts

Literary: A Good Night's Sleep




Weak jaw locked open
Neck, strained, and mouth, gaping wide
Screaming with no voice

Blurry, dry vision
Lids closed shut to block darkness
Eyes tearless sobbing

A ringless ringing
Sound of an electric fan
Ears tightly held closed

Coagulated
Dry, irritated, swallow
Saliva in throat

Shadows bury body
Mind slips further into dreams
Surprising calmness

Sunrise has arrived
Body aches, pain all over
Awake, the mind is

Moist, the mouth is
Open, the ear is
Clear, the eye is
Raspy, the voice is

Hesitation, eliminated
Doubt, destroyed
Darkness, illuminated
Heart, reforged

Literary: Smooth Writer




Confishion


RAW

I just take the risk
to dive in the sea of love
lone, because you don't

EDITED 1

I just take the risk
to dive in the sea of love
lone, because you don't

Editor: The first line “I just take the risk” sounds off. Also, what do you mean by “because you don’t” in the last line? Because you don’t what? Why would the person you’re talking to take the risk with you? Also, is the title a typo? Should it be Confusion? Because it is very confusing. The message isn’t clear, not recommended.


Editor
Content
Language
Organization
Total
R / RWR/ NR
Mood
Editor
2
3
2
7
NR
-

REVISED 1

I just took the risk
to dive in the sea of love
lone, 'cause you didn't

Writer: I edited the haiku’s grammatical errors. The message of the haiku is “I took the risk and fall in love with you. But you didn’t reciprocate the feeling.” Because of the form, I limited its message. Therefore, the reason why “you” should take the risk will depend on the reader’s interpretation. Editor, as a reader, why should “you” take the risk with “me”? It is entitled “Confishion” to compare “me” to a fish who dives into the sea. Editor, I hope you can understand “my” message now.

EDITED 2

I just took the risk
to dive in the sea of love
lone, 'cause you didn't

Editor: Ah, I see what you mean. If that’s the case, then the title and the imagery makes sense. But the form does limit your message a bit. Why not add more haikus/stanzas to further illustrate your point? You expound on your message with more haikus.

Editor
Content
Language
Organization
Total
R / RWR/ NR
Mood
Editor
3
4
3
7
RWR
:'(

REVISED 2

i just took thE risk
to DIve in The sea Of love
lone, 'cause you didn't

I’m heRe, stIlL waiting
Oh, this deep dark sea ViEw
so blue, withou YOU

Writer: I added another stanza for you to understand my message clearer. Though, I would like to leave, the reason why “you” should take the risk, still a mystery to the readers. So that “you” will be able to answer why should “you” take the risk with “me”?

EDITED 3

I just took thE risk
to DIve in The sea Of love
lone, 'cause you didn't

I’m heRe, stIlL waiting
Oh, this deep dark sea ViEw
so blue, without YOU

Editor: It’s good! Though I’m curious about why there are random capital letters. So the letters that look out of place are: E D I T O R I L O V E ah… uhh, wait... WAIT WHAT SKSKSKSKSKS

Editor
Content
Language
Organization
Total
R / RWR/ NR
Mood
Editor
5
5
5
5
R
Gara naman o

Literary: Step Down




You can't do it anymore
Brittle bones, withered muscles
Make up your better
"Step down"

You bleed
Scrapes on your knees
Refuse to heal
"Stay down"

"Look up"
Stairway through the clouds
You're at the base
Because you slipped

"Stand up"
We'll smile and watch you
As you scurry to the top
Only to fall again

Watch. Me.

A foot placed on the first step
Retracted. I calm myself,
To ready myself for the climb, I
"Step down"

This isn't a setback,
Just a quick rest. I've climbed before,
I'll do it again. I will never
"Stay down"

"Look up"
The sky mocks me
The clouds hide my goal
I will

"Stand up"
And move onward.
I silence my voice,
Only actions will be heard

Literary: Ang Gintong Lungsod




Sa aking bawat hakbang kumakapal ang putik sa ilalim ng sapatos ko. Malagkit na kumakapit ang putik. Tag-ulan. Tago ang araw, malamig ang hangin, at kulay-abo ang langit. Hindi na dumating ang tag-init. Sabi nila magkakaroon ng tag-init at magiging kulay ginto ang bakal ng Lamina. Sa paglalakad ko sa kalsada, nadaanan ko ang bakal na tubo, kinakalawang at nilulumot. Ang mga pader ng gusali ay maitim mula sa usok. Ang daanan ay nakalubog sa tubig at putik. Tinanggal ko ang butones ng suot kong itim na barong. Limang lamay na ang napuntahan ko. Habang naglalakad pauwi, naglabas ako ng buntong-hininga.

“Kailan matatapos ang tag-ulan?"

Literary: Okey Lang Kahit Hindi Ka Makabayan




Kahit kailan, nasabihan ka na ba ng “Makabayan ka ba?”

“Ano'ng gagawin mo para sa Pilipinas?”

“Dapat ipaglaban mo ang inaapi!”

“Bakit hindi mo mahal ang Pilipinas?”

Baka naiinis ka na sa mga tanong na ito dahil paulit-ulit na lang sa’yong sinasabi. Nararamdaman mo bang pinipilit kang mahalin ang Pilipinas? Para sa mga taong hindi mahal ang Pilipinas, ito lang ang masasabi ko:

Okey lang kahit hindi mo mahal ang Pilipinas.

Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit.

Posibleng ayaw mo ang gobyerno natin. Mali-mali naman ang inuuna ng gobyerno. Imbis na unahin tayo, mas inuuna ang foreign investors. Sa halip na inuuna ang pangangailangan natin, kung ano-anong bill ang pinapasa.

Baka wala kang mahanap na trabaho. Kahit nakapagtapos ka ng kolehiyo, wala namang tumatanggap sa’yo. Ang mga trabaho lang na pwede mong mapasukan ngayon ay hindi naman katumbas ng degree mo. Naiintindihan ko kung bakit mo gugusuhin lumipat ng ibang bansa. Para magkaroon ng magandang trabaho na magbibigay saya sa’yo.

O baka wala kang pera. Ang pamilya mo ay dumadaan sa paghihirap. Minsan toyo at asin lang ang ulam mo sa kanin. Kahit makapag-aral man lang hindi mo magawa. Hindi kaya ng bansa natin na mapag-aral ka, kaya siyempre iisipin mong walang kwenta ang Pilipinas.

Pwede ring ayaw mo sa mga tao dito. Puro toxic, walang inaral, walang alam. Kung maayos sana ang education system dito sa Pilipinas, hindi ito mangyayari. Naiindintihan ko kung bakit mo gugustuhin mag-aral sa ibang bansa. Mas maganda ang equipment nila, mas magaling ang guro nila, at mas magaling ang estudyante nila. Siyempre gugustuhin mo maging magaling din, hindi ba?

Mas maganda sa ibang bansa, at naiintindihan ko kung bakit mo ito maiisip.

May mga kilala rin akong hindi makabayan. Marami sila. Lahat ayaw na sa Pilipinas, gusto nang umalis ng bansa. Lahat ng isyu gusto nang layuan. Sinabi ko sa kanila na may maraming rason para mahalin ang Pilipinas. Maraming magagandang tanawin, mayaman na kultura, at mababait na tao na hindi nila makita. Sinubukan ko ituro sa kanila kung paano mahalin ang bayan. Hindi naman ito basta-basta gagana.

Mayroon silang argumento para hindi mahalin ang bayan. Walang trabaho dito, walang edukasyon dito, at walang mabuting tao rito.

Kung ganito rin ang pananaw mo, naiintindihan kita.

Kung binabasa mo pa rin ito, sasabihin ko sa’yo ang pananaw ko sa pagmamahal ng bayan.

Ito ay parang pagmamahal sa iyong pamilya. Hindi ito required.

Kahit anong gawin mo, kahit sabihin pa ng ibang tao na dapat mahal mo ang bayan, sa huli, pinipilit lang naman nila ang paniniwala nila sa’yo. Ang paniniwala na hindi naman dapat required.

Hindi ko mahal ang Pilipinas dahil maganda rito.

Hindi dahil maganda ang trabaho rito.

Hindi dahil maganda ang edukasyon dito.

Hindi dahil may kinabukasan ako rito.

Mahal ko ang aking bayan dahil ito ay ang aking bayan.

Hindi ko kailangan ng iba pang rason para mahalin ang bayan.

Tanggap ko na hindi maunlad ang Pilipinas kumpara sa ibang bansa.

Tanggap ko na hindi maganda ang education system dito.

Tanggap ko na mas mabuting magtrabaho ako sa ibang bansa.

Tanggap ko na ang bansang nagpalaki sa akin ay hindi maganda.

Pero mahal ko pa rin ito.

Para sa mga magulang, hindi mo ba mamahalin ang anak mo kahit anong mangyari? Kahit gaano kalaki na ang galit mo sa kanya, hindi mo pa rin ba siya mamahalin sa dulo?

Para sa mga anak, kahit hindi ka naiintindihan ng magulang mo, hindi ba mahal mo pa rin sila? Kahit pagalitan ka man, kahit magtanim ka ng galit sa puso mo, hindi mo ba sila mamahalin kahit ganon?

Kailanman hindi ako nirequire ng ina ko na mahalin siya, pero mahal na mahal ko pa rin siya.

Gayundin ang bayan. Hindi ako nirerequire na mahalin ko ang aking bayan, pero mamahalin ko pa rin nang buong puso. Kahit gaano karaming problema at isyu mayroon ang Pilipinas, mamahalin ko pa rin ito buong puso.

Hindi ko ito sinasabi para mahalin mo rin ang bayan. Kung pinilit kita mahalin ang bayan, hindi ba magiging required na ito?

Kaya hindi ko kayo pipilitin na mahalin ang bayan, ngunit ito lang ang sasabihin ko:

Hindi magbabago ang katotohanan na ito ang bayan niyo.

Literary: Fated




My cold body lies on the asphalt
Roaring rain pours down on my skin
The freezing mist enters my lungs
My thoughts are slowing down

I am fated to fall
My body fades into the ground
Fingers numb, sight blurring

A speck of light shines through
The storm hides the sun
My heart beats loudly
Warm blood pumps through my veins

I am fated to rise
My body prepares for its rebirth
Fingers yearning, vision clearing

Both fates are not false
Not both fates are true
Neither is the true fate
The truest fate is not fated

Fated to fall or fated to rise?
Fate is a question
Fate is your answer

Literary: The World I Go To Everyday




I sit down on my chair as I take a sip from a hot cup of milk. The cold breeze from the doorway brushes my face as it enters the library. The fresh air brought the scent of mountains and rivers into my home. Finishing my cup of milk, I continue reading my book from the second floor of the library. While immersing myself, my mind travels to even more mountains and rivers. From the red of sunrise to the red of sunset, I immerse myself in the scent and view of the mountains. I close the book and see a gray office. Three cups of coffee sit empty beside my computer screen. I pack up my stuff and go home.

Literary: Drowning to Fly




The sun above is high in the sky
Far, yet within hand’s reach
Its light is warm and bright
Yet it never reaches us

An ocean in the sky
Deep blue, shrouded in darkness
Between the earth and heavens
Go through it to reach the sky

People yearn for the sun
To fly into its light and warmth
People strive onward and upward
Only to fall back to the ground

This ocean is infinite and perilous
Pass the abyss in its stomach
The sun is waiting on the other side
The promised land is there

The higher you swim the heavier it becomes
Muscles ache, your heart breaks
The closer you reach, the farther the dawn
Swim into the abyss to reach the sun

Going up feels like sinking rock bottom
Swimming or drowning, it’s all the same
Up feels down and down feels up
Where do you go to grasp for air?

Light fades, darkness seeps in
Warmth disappears, cold sinks in
Breath runs out, lungs start to fail
Must reach the sun

To reach the sun, dive into the sea
The sea that traps you within
Go through the deep cold abyss
And take the promised warmth

Feel needles prick you as you dive deep
Feel the water close in on you as you swim
Light blue sky replaced with a dark blue abyss
A speck of light to keep you going

Going through the cold to reach the warmth
Diving deep to reach the sky
Drowning to fly
Laughable

Literary: B: Mahal Kita




A: Sinong selfish? Ako?
B:

A: Hindi ko iniisip ang side mo?
B:

A: Ngayon ko nga lang nasabi ang nararamdaman ko.
B:

A: Nakakagigil ka.
B:

A: Bakit ako pa yung selfish?
B:

A: Hindi mo iniisip ang kalagayan ko?
B:

A: Bakit ganyan ka?
B:

A: Ayoko na.
B:

A: …
B:

A: (sa sarili) Hindi siya makikinig.
B: Sorry.

A: (sa sarili) Kimkim na lang ulit
B: Mahal kita

Literary: Ang Aking mga Pula




Rosas na pula
Napupuno ako ng ligaya
Gusto kong kasama
Ang Pula ng aking puso

Kumukulong pula
Masakit sa mata
Sumasabog na pula
Ang Pula ng aking utak

Matingkad na pula
Nagbibigay buhay
Buhay, pinapanday
Ang Pula ng aking dugo

Nantitigil
Naninira
Pulang hindi
Ang Pula ng Apoy

Ang Pula ng aking puso ay apoy sa utak ko

Ang Pula ng utak ko ay apoy sa dugo ko

Ang Pula ng aking dugo ay apoy sa puso ko

Nanggugulo
Nangwawasak
Buhay
Ang Apoy

Ang Apoy sa Pula ko

Literary: Rinig kita




Malamig ang simoy ng hangin. Kasinlamig lang ng hangin ang panahon sa Baguio noong binisita namin ang lola ko para sa Pasko. Kasama kong pumunta ang pamilya ko at ang pamilya ni Sam. Magkaibigan kasi ang mga tatay namin, kaya halos lahat ng lakad namin, kasama sila.

Halos parang magkapatid na kami ni Sam. Laging magkapareho ang ginagawa namin, kung di man magkasama. Pag nagbabasketbol siya, sinasamahan kong maglaro. Pag gusto kong manood ng mga pelikula ni Vice, sinasamahan niya ako kahit naghihilik lang naman siya sa sinehan. Pinag-aralan niya ring mag-braid para lang matalian niya ako ng buhok.

Noong pumunta kami sa bahay ng lola ko, pagkapasok pa lang ay binigyan na niya kaming dalawa ng malaking yakap. Madalang kasi namin siyang binibisita sa Baguio; ang huling punta ko rito ay baka noong mga pitong taong gulang pa lang ako.

‘Yon ang pinakapaborito kong alaala sa kaniya. Iyon ang huling pagsasama namin bago kami nag-college. Matapos ang higit sa sampung taon, ngayon ko lang siya ulit makikita.

Sa kabaong niya.

Ngayon, hindi ko na alam. Hindi pa rin bumabaon sa isip ko na wala na siya. Na nawalan ako ng kalahati. Wala nang magbe-braid ng buhok ko. Wala nang pipilit sa aking magbasketbol kahit sobrang mainit.

Wala na siya.

Hindi ako lumuha. Hindi ko kayang lumuha. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako lumuluha. Parang wala akong nararamdaman. Parang hindi ito nangyari. Pero nandiyan ang kabaong niya, unti-unting nilulubog sa lupa.

Sabi niya sa akin dati noong bata kami, “Kahit ano’ng mawala sa ‘yo, huwag kang umiyak. Kasi kahit kailanman, meron ka pang ibang pinahahalagahan.”

Hindi ko naman aakalain na siya ‘yung mawawala sa ’kin.

Nagpakawala ako ng mahinang buntonghininga. May gusto pa sana akong sabihin sa kaniya. Hindi ko nasabi kahit kailan. Kahit bilang kapamilya, hindi ko ito nasabi. Matagal ko nang kinikimkim ang mga salitang ito. Alam kong huli na ang lahat, pero…

“Mahal kita, Sam.”

Kahit mahina lang ang boses ko, sana’y marinig mo pa rin, Sam.

Mahal kita, Sam. Mahal na mahal kita sa simula pa lang.

Kahit kailan man, hindi kita narinig magsalita, mahal na mahal pa rin kita.

Itinaas ko ang ulo ko at pumikit ako. Wala na akong iniisip kundi ang hinga ko at ang lamig ng simoy ng hangin.

Hindi pa rin ako makaiyak.

Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo, may tumapik sa aking balikat. Namulat ako kaagad, at nagulat ako na nandoon pala ang nanay ni Sam. Tiningnan niya lang ako nang may malumanay na ngiti. Bumalik ako sa pagpikit ng aking mga mata.

Mahina niyang sinabi, “Ella, may gustong sabihin si Sam.”

Nanlaki ang mata ko at tinitigan ko siya. “Ano’ng sabi n’yo, Tita?”

Wala siyang isinagot, sa halip, naglabas siya ng isang pirasong papel. Tahimik niyang ibinigay sa akin ang papel.

“Basahin mo,” aniya.

Nagtaka ako sa iniabot niya. Pagkatapos ay lumayo na ang nanay ni Sam.

Pagkabukas ko ng papel ay may sulat sa loob. Pagkabasa ko ng unang mga linya, mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa papel.

“Dear Ella,”

May sulat ka para sa ‘kin, Sam?

Binasa ko ang liham niya, bawat salita, isinasapuso ko.


Dear Ella,

Kumusta ka naman? Sana okay naman ang pakiramdam mo. Alam mo naman na hindi ako magaling sa pagsasalita, kaya didiretso na ako sa gusto kong sabihin.

Sorry.

Sorry hindi kita nahintay. Gusto ko talaga sanang hintayin ka bago ako operahan. Alam mo naman na yata kung ano’ng nangyari pagkatapos ng opera ko, di ba?

Ginusto ko talaga ito para sa sarili ko, kaya huwag kang mag-alala. Kahit kailanman, hindi ko naisip na kawawa ako dahil pipi ako, gusto ko pa ring marinig mo ako.

Matagal na tayong hindi nagkikita, pero hanggang ngayon, sa mga huli kong araw, ikaw pa rin ang iniisip ko. Malamig dito, Ella. Mas malamig pa kaysa sa Baguio.

Sana nandito ka ngayon. Pero kahit na wala ka, hindi pa rin ako iiyak. Nasa akin pa rin lahat ng alaala natin. Kung nasaan ka man ngayon, sorry kung bigla akong papasok ulit sa buhay mo sa huli kong oras.

Hindi ko nasabi dati bago mag-graduate kasi naduwag ako. Kahit naman ngayon, duwag pa rin ako, e, haha. Pero ito na, sasabihin ko na.

Ella… mahal kita. Hindi lang bilang kaibigan. Mahal na mahal kita mula noong bata pa tayo. Hindi ako nakakuha ng lakas ng loob para sabihin sa ’yo dahil takot ako na ma-reject. Baka magbingi-bingihan ka na naman sa ‘kin. Gusto ko lang talaga marinig mo ako:

Mahal kita, Ella.

Maraming damdamin ang umiikot sa puso ko. Lahat ng nararamdaman ko naghalo-halo na.

Galit? Lungkot? Saya?

Hindi ko napansin na basa na ang pisngi ko sa luha. Hinawakan ko ang liham niya malapit sa dibdib ko. Bawat hinga ko, paulit-ulit lang ako, “Rinig kita, Sam... Rinig na rinig kita...”

Mahal na mahal din kita, Sam. Rinig na rin kita.

Sana lang naririnig mo rin ako.

Literary: Unmasked




            She placed her hands on her mask, ending up frozen in place. Her mask’s bright smile was contrasted by the blue aura coming out from underneath. The usual yellow aura was no longer around her. Her hands started shaking and her breathing became ragged, as if at any moment she would break down. She threw her arms down and screamed, “I can’t…!”
            From the mask’s eyes, tears leaked out. Even though what she’s showing me is a smile, it’s clear that she isn’t happy at all.
            “I can’t take it off… I’m scared…”
            I stepped forward and grabbed her hands, “Hey, hey, it’s alright.”
            Before I could get any closer, she withdrew her hands from me and took a few steps back. She was shaking. She then looked at me, scared of what she had done.
            “It’s fine.”
            “It’s not fine.”
            “Really, it’s really fine.”
            “No it’s not! I want to show you what’s under my mask, but I’m too scared you’ll hate me. I’d rather hide under this mask than be hurt all over again…”
            She collapsed to the ground and started hugging her knees. “It’s cold…”
            Her aura was starting to get unstable. The blue that was leaking out was suddenly starting to bleed purple, and then into an even darker blue. There were countless things that passed through my mind on what I could do, but none of them seem to help with this situation. I… don’t want to be helpless again. I need to find a way to comfort her, but how?!
            Then suddenly, a thought popped up in my mind. It was a crazy idea, but… it might just work.
            I knelt down to her level, so that we could see eye to eye. When she saw me, she looked away. My hands slowly reached to a mask, not hers, but mine. In a slow, but fluid motion, I removed my mask in front of her.
            “W-what!? What are you doing!?”
            I contemplated about the answer to that question as I dropped my mask to the ground. I lightly chuckled as I told her, “I thought it was unfair for me to ask you to remove your mask on your own, so I took the initiative and removed mine first.”
            I took her hand, this time she wasn’t inclined on taking it away. “I’ve never even seen my face under the mask, so you’re the first person who has ever seen me.”
            She was too shocked by what I did. She looked at our hands and at my eyes alternately, trying to make sense of what happened. Her mouth was opening and closing, as if she wanted to say something. After a few minutes of silence, she finally spoke, “I’m sorry, I’m too scared to take off my own mask.”
            I nodded my head, “Yeah, it’s fine, I understand.”
            “And you wouldn’t be the first to see me.”
            “Yeah, again, it’s totally fine.”
            “Even though I can’t take my mask off myself… I can let you take it off for me. Would you like that?”
            “Yeah— ” I stuttered my words to a stop when I had realized what she had just said. I looked away for a moment before looking back into her eyes. “A-are you sure? This is your mask we’re talking about.”
            She was twiddling her thumbs as she looked down at our hands, “I’m sorry that I’m a coward, but could you take this step for me?”
            At this point, my heart was conflicted. I really wanted to see the person underneath, but I didn’t want to do it for her. I want her to be strong on her own and do it for herself. I don’t want her to rely on me to take the step for her, but… I can hear her say please. The blue aura around her is whispering me to do it. She really wants to, and she needs help with that first little step. After thinking for a while, I took a deep breath. “I’ll do it.”
            The aura around her flashed a hint of excitement. There was a moment where it flashed a patch of yellow, then suddenly it returned to a deep blue.
            Slowly, I reached for the mask that covered her face. My heart was beating so fast, and I was sure that hers was too. I took the mask and carefully removed it…
            Underneath her unmoving smile was a frown, with lips being softer than the stiff smile she shows to people. Her aura which was constantly shifting from radiant yellow to deep night blue turned into a sea blue, the color of a calm sea. As she stared back at me, her eyes filled my sight. Eyes that usually was so full of energy, now sparkling with tears. Her usual liveliness was replaced with a solemn quiet. As she waited for my reply, I just stared blankly at her with only one thought in my mind. Her everything is just so…
            “…Beautiful.”

Literary (Submission): Starlit Questions x Moonlit Answers





Starlit Questions

We stand underneath the stars that can't be seen
and trees that gently follow the midnight's breeze
and we laugh at what we think the world could mean
and the moments we have, this night, we seem to seize

I laugh at things that you would say and do
and you tell me that you think this is true
and I want to believe my future is with you
hoping every moment will seem new

You look at me, smiling, yet staring intensely
and I look away, afraid of what I see
since in my mind are thoughts that you will stay right here with me
and feelings growing more immensely

You fill my nights with endless thought and wonder
within the words you send of black and gray
yet with these loving words, I seem to ponder
if tomorrow, will you be here to truly stay?




Moonlit Answers

Amidst this dark road, under the milky moonlight
We pondered where the stars might have gone beyond our sight
Wishing we could see them right now under this black night
A moment between us I thought just felt truly right

In the middle of the dark where the light doesn’t reach
We intertwined our hands, every finger soft as peach
Holding you tightly, as if the world is within my reach
Here we don’t need words, we don’t need any speech

Every moment of this, I can’t help but keep smiling
Each time I look at you, I can’t help but keep falling
Even as your eyes reflect all of your worrying
I know I’ll stay here, never ever leaving

No matter how many sad and sorrowful nights that passes by,
I’ll stay for those happy moments, even if they’re few
Even as the sky turns red and the big world turns blue
Forever and ever, I’ll stay here and be with you

Literary (Submission): I Leave People more than Places


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