WHEN IN APRIL

Authored by Yesu Ben

Guys, i was out of town, where signal is not that good, farming and trekking. I intend to try to beat the lockdown on August 6 by locking myself up in my farm until they lift it. Why when it entails a lot of physical effort to work on a farm? Firstly because there is hope there and there is fresh air, lotsa quick-smiling/greeting people, farmers on horseback sharing their veggies. Yes, there are more horses there than cows or carabaos. 

WHEN IN APRIL

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At long last, clouds have lifted and dispersed;

The birds have reappeared; the land is wet;

The air smells of fresh earth; anguish reversed;

Yellow flowers dressed in green – proud and set

For a new day’s longed for exchange of views,

The meadow has become a noisy place;

Flora in brightest fashion clothes and shoes;

A conversation lively, vines embrace;

On privacies and on those blust'ring trees,

On rain, on covert sneak of weed on ground;

all drinking to the renaissance with glee

A cycle’s been concluded; life is found!

The conscious world sings, breathes and is aware!

With tenor voice that echoes in the air!

August 1, 2021

Filipino Poets in Blossoms 

THE MISSING TOILET PAPER

Prologue 

This poem is not imaginary. This is based on FACT that it happened in the country where I live. 

Panic buying had been circulated by rumour machines for some years in Down Under until one day it hit the ground and caught us by surprise in the real time. As lockdown ensued by the order from the authority, I heard all the shameful commotions goin on and for the first time, we became a laughing stock all over the world. But only for one reason caused by the "bloody" ass wiper. After almost one month being jailed in my own home, I finally went out to do my shopping when my victuals ran out. Lo and behold!  The supermarkets were virtually empty!

👻👻👻👻👻👻👻

THE (Controversial) MISSING TOILET PAPER 

By Leah C. Dancel 

Australians all went berserk 

They got frantic over the covid scare 

When strangers from overseas came to stay 

They spilled the beans of this lethal viral spread.

Hence Big Brother felt in alarming scale 

To hear the worldwide chaos soaked in fear;

Big Brother conceded it must close its bridge; 

Cordon the borders of sea, land and air. 

When contained, they passed a stringent order

To set the whole land in a mass lockdown

Diverse reactions elicited abeyance.

Do or die it made someone's blood run cold.

Inside Noah's Ark panic had begun 

Watching each other's step that wearied everyone 

Prompted by social distancing on demand 

Distrust trajected but subtly kept mum. 

Food became scarce, and other essentials too.

Store shelves were left empty 

From bread to pasta and toilet papers rolled away 

Prices hit the roof in disbelief and awe.

Australians hit the world news with shame and sham

With people driving people up the wall

Over the head why for toilet rolls they slammed 

They lost respect and made us small.

In the eyes of the universe who once esteemed us high 

But now the missing toilet papers are back on sale. 

Covid is still here, never on the mend as yet 

Till death comes at the door who's target next.

©Leah C. Dancel

Copyright@July 27, 2021

All rights reserved

SH-Australia 

Filipino Poets in Blossoms 🌸 

Dex Amaroso's

"The Cover, Covert and Covid".  

End of July 2021 Challenge 

Guest Contributor 

THE ONLY CHOICE

By Hedda Tady

To be mindful that tomorrow is just a hope, 

That yesterday is just a memory, 

That we only have today and now, to live.

That is the secret to being present. 

Be where you need to be, with who you want to be.

For there is only one thing that is certain : our mortality. 

To live without regrets, 

To pass this world and into the next without a tugging at the heart,

For things left undone, 

Or for people left unloved, 

Or for tasks left half-finished.

We only have one life.

Today, once it comes to pass, can never be re-lived.

There is no turning back, 

There are no “if onlys”.

There is just the now and the today.

Live. That is the only choice.

Source: FB

PERFECT LIGHT

By Sarah Williams 

Though my soul may set in darkness,

it will rise in perfect light;

I have loved the stars too fondly

to be fearful of the night. 

Source: Life's A Dance 

OF MIGRATORY BIRDS AND MEN

By Crispulo Bacud Tappa 

Drifting in a speedy current 

of air, so bold.

Leaving a place filled with  snow,       so thick and so  cold. 

Death is certain for birds 

with frozen bleeding  hearts.

Flying in mid-air miles 

away till death departs.

Sensing danger, they fly 

away to safer coasts.

For  self-preservation,  

fly away at all costs.

When food is scarce, men

migrate for greener pastures.

Travel many miles away, 

their destiny lures.

Live through  different climates,

lifestyles, and cultures. 

Adjust he must, aclimatize,

blend, to survive.

When he has done all

these, he has truly arrived.

Salute to migrant workers,

some lived, some have died.

Note: First line is a prompt taken from Mr. Elmer Maribbay's wall, my former high school teacher, and school paper adviser.

CTTO: Photo

Source: Filipino Poets in Blossoms 

July 25, 2021

POETRY SAVES

By Melanie Mabao Amante Maguindanao 

In this world where madness raves,

Man by nature in beauty craves.

Our time that robs this inclination,

In poetry, we cling sans hesitation.

Poetry saves

A way for an artist paves...

The  painting of human suffering...

In ink of pain, our hope is lingering.

In chaos, in doubts, and troubles,

Poetry stirs the mind in bubbles...

Of faith, of drifting thoughts, and dreams.

Even the ugly truth in beauty screams

Hollow is heaped in words' delight.

Empty is filled with poet's might.

The rhyming riddle in between

Adheres  to brilliance in a stream.

The bloom of meaningful thoughts,

In words bountiful spring cohorts.

In life, where boredom waives...

Take courage, poetry saves.

Source: FB

July 25, 2021

THE JOURNEY

By Percy Roxas 

walking through the forest path;

it's been a hectic journey

as toll of age now wields its wrath

the road becomes a bit more scary.

no hands to hold, the arms are thinner

how lonelier becomes the walk

the solitude of trees are keener

can't stop for them to have a talk.

oh younger, younger, home my post

this road has always been a blast;

now simply wandering's being lost;

no crickets even I can trust

slowly, with the wobbling knees

the feeling reel, and roll, and spin

you flick the wand, for dues, for fees

and hope the world's where it had been

but darkness looms, and spreads, and fast

though no one dear stands to see

the thickets of our fate, they last

so let them be -- you should be free.

time now to sit and get some air

although to some that seems unfair!

july 2, 2021

#thelyricalheartjuly2

Source: Filipino Poets in Blossoms 

PARADISE LOST

From Yesu Ben

Here is a poem by John Milton which i have memorized by heart (actually it's part of Paradise Lost Lines 589-669) i thought na bagay na bagay sa picture mo although i have likened Satan to Prometheus who defied the gods by stealing heaven's fire but was tied to a rock (this earth is a rock):

 (Satan) or Percy Byshe Shelley's Prometheus 

 John Milton:

He, above the rest

In shape and gesture proudly eminent,

Stood like a tower. His form had yet not lost

All her original brightness, nor appeared

Less than Archangel ruined, and th' excess

Of glory obscured: as when the sun new-risen

Looks through the horizontal misty air

Shorn of his beams, or, from behind the moon,

In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds

On half the nations, and with fear of change

Perplexes monarchs. Darkened so, yet shone

Above them all th' Archangel: but his face

Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and care

Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows

Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride

Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast

Signs of remorse and passion, to behold

The fellows of his crime, the followers rather

(Far other once beheld in bliss), condemned

For ever now to have their lot in pain —

Millions of Spirits for his fault amerced

Of Heaven, and from eternal splendours flung

For his revolt — yet faithful how they stood,

Their glory withered; as, when heaven's fire

Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines,

With singed top their stately growth, though bare,

Stands on the blasted heath.

Source: Filipino Poets in Blossoms

July 24, 2021

INDESTRUCTIBLE

A human being I was born

I got to live by brain and brawn

Through many trials I transform

But to the world I won't conform

I'm stubborn, incorrigible

Values are non-negotiable

I'll stand my ground, my principles

None can break my unyielding soul

Maturity I must attain 

To higher self I shall ascend 

Endure the sorrow and the pain 

'Til everything comes to an end

Afterlife is destination

Death is just the initiation

Let fire burn 'til I'm consumed

Out from my ashes I'm reborn

Copyright © 2021 Don Luman-ag 

All rights reserved.

24.07.2021

Source: Filipino Poets in Blossoms 🌸 

HOLISTIC LOVE

Her beauty captured him. She thought he'll love her till the end.

Yet her outer beauty upon the rolling of time has changed.

She was naive and innocent in her own natural ways.

She was a hunger to learn as hours turned to days.

She was dismayed when she realized life wasn't smooth.

She battled strifes in her life. She never ever thought.

Her beauty gradually fades upon the churning of times.

She gained faith she held by her soul and tears from her eyes.

His love was lost, and he finds someone to fill his desire.

As she became unattractive from his own worldly eyes

Woman as she is, she became wiser as she gets older.

She danced so gracefully to the tune of life though it was bitter.

She's was buffed like gold to produce her shine.

Nothing she had but only the faith, one day, she can survive.

She is no longer a woman who can turn heads unto her

Only she knew she had to strive to the fullest and bear.

Till she knew  to love her own unique and divine self,

She learned from the fantastic quotes of life she reads.

She embraced the beauty of life she thought she hadn't

Her life upon its melancholy continued to grow, not barren.

She already sags. She's is old, but she shades like a lamp so warm.

Even she lost her outer beauty, but she's confident and calm.

Now, he regretted hurting her as their love was buried by her.

She was persistent in walking on a difficult path without fear.

She was greeted by dazzling splendid beams of sunshine.

She became sweeter in the lingers of time, like wine.

She became prettier as she splashes her kind, pure heart.

She's old, but a kind of her will make her man truly glad.

She met a loving man who captivated her kind heart.

Who promised her nothing in the world, only just love

She's the woman in her ways dreamed by every man to have

He captured her heart and built her confidence firmly back.

She's the princess of him who knows love and its meaning.

She is the treasure of his heart till he breathes set to an end.

She will forever be loved by him no matter what she looks like.

She is his angel, and she meant the world in his sight.

Though how badly her old love dreamed and wished  her back

It made him sad, as she found a man to love her no matter what.

Regret always comes too late, Men. Can we have your stance?

Can you define love to its essence, that love is acceptance?

Not only to the beauty of our faces and our curvy shape

We are women who deserve a kind of love that is holistic.

 ~Helen Sarita

Source: Filipino Poets in Blossoms 🌸 

July 24, 2021

ALTAR OF DREAMS

A Winning Entry "Start with a given line and end with a twist" poetry contest."

Second Place, Silver Award

ELOISA TO ABELARD

By Alexander Pope 

 

 

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!" 

The world forgetting, by the world forgot. 

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

Each prayer accepted, and each wish resigned."

By Alexander Pope

⛪⛪⛪⛪⛪⛪⛪

ALTAR OF DREAMS

I

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!" 

Where virtue of purity in her heart resides

She values the importance of morality 

Lost in this world of impurities and human indignities. 

II

"The world forgetting, by the world forgot."

Where she's unmindful of her surrounds, 

buried deep in vileness acts.

She shuts her eyes on things she has no control;

In the altar of solitude she found peace,  her sole comfort. 

III

"Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!"

Where she nurtures her thoughts of spiritual kind 

For a noble purpose that is true to her core 

A calling she adheres with a conscience pure. 

IV

"Each prayer accepted, and each wish resigned."

Before the Altar of Dreams she laid her soul bare 

To the Giver above whom she petitioned her desires 

She's a faithful wife, a doting mom and her Eaglets' Wings! 

©Leah C. Dancel 

Copyright@July 22, 2021

All rights reserved 

SH-Australia 

#FPB1000milestone 

By Dex Amoroso 

In dedication to Helen Sarita, Eureka Cambonga Bianzon Robey  and FPB Adm, Moderators, Staff and Members

Photo: Museum (Old Church on a Hill)

Eden NSW 

February 18, 2020

Gallery

Wedding Day

February 27, 1988

Goorawin Road

Orange NSW

Australia

TREE

By Dex Amaroso 

Trees will all be tall, 

the branches starting high, 

Hard to climb 

but at the top 

new sight.

She will not shade you from the light 

but offer 

Innumerable mirrors.

She knows peace 

is hard for you. 

You must find it 

not by pruning her, 

but by moving 

in her strangeness.

Source: FPB

July 20, 2021

Dedicated to "me?"

FPB - ACROSTIC

What FILIPINO POETS IN BLOSSOMS Means To Me 

By Leah C. Dancel

Photo credit to FPB

July 17, 2021

F - Flock of human birds busy scribbling poetry on parched papers with quills

I - Internalizing ideas and notions -  improving their skills

            

L - Learning from each other with new styles and forms 

I - Incentives inspire these zealous minds by bestowing awards and rewards 

P - Poets from all walks of life, passionate and fiery in their pursuit of excellence 

I - Iron-willed with indomitable spirit, their imaginations' running wild. 

N - Not one easy to give up while exploring each cave of challenges 

O - Old and young, no matter what the age. 

P - Potential bards and aspirants go with the flow 

O - Often dreaming dreams of praises 

E - Engrossed in thoughts, in mastery possessed 

T - Things they mused in journals found 

S - Scribes of timeless age!

I - Imbibing the fluid of knowledge that seep through their souls 

N - No ink is wasted for every word inscribed. 

B - Beautiful lines each writer's pen of iron inks

L - Literary pieces from the heart,  etched in purest gold 

O - Of love, of life - for peace at home and around the world 

S - Sincere hearts of one accord that come together 

S - Spreading warm friendship and fellowship across the miles 

O - Over the land, across the seas, and mountains high - One Voice is heard 

M - Minions of poets in brotherhood unite

S - Scintillating stars from heaven, the Filipino Poets in Blossoms is YOU! 

©Leah C. Dancel

Copyright@July 20, 2021

All rights reserved 

SH-Australia 

#FPB_Acrostic Poetry 

By Eureka Cambonga Bianzon Robey 

LET GO AND GRAB

By Crispina Vedra-Diego

Let go of the past and grab the present,

Let go of the heartache and grab the new encounter,

Let go of the pains and grab the healing,

Let go of the hate and grab the love from within,

Let go of the bitterness and grab sweet memories,

Let go of selfisness and grab the act of giving,

Let go of the aches and grab the balm of mercy,

Let go of the failures and grab the hand of success,

Let go of the cries and grab the sweet smiles,

Let go of your life and grab Christ's life,

Let go of the world and grab the place up yonder.

docris 7-19-21

ON WINTER

By Yesu Ben 

 (Catching your S1's Winter Chills) 

Long grey days of standstill, days of desolate frost; 

Winter childbirths gloomiest thoughts, of loved ones we have lost. 

Why heavy feelings come – why linger with the snow; 

Why when there's no sun solacing, why when even sprouts can’t grow. 

This stretches on and on, this sea of white and grey; 

Its beauty simply is not real, like 

mem’ry dimmed away. 

NB

(it's called a Poulter's Measure- alternating between 12 and 14. Poulter of course has to do with chicken, poultry. Thus the 12 for eggs are usually sold by the dozen. I chose the long lines of this form for they kind of create a feeling that this world is oppressive, since the reading is slowed. The rhymed couplets hopefully mirror in the pair of interrogative echos of L3 and L4 as well as the paired phrases of L5. I try to hinge at the center of the line to elaborate or to echo and to extend description. Try it)

Photo: At home with Lily 

Snow in Orange 

June 10, 2021

I'LL COVER YOU WITH SUNSHINE

Writing from a spoonfed photo and title concept as inspired by our once a Little Smart Kiddo, growing into a young lady and ultimately a woman, a wife and a mother of one smart boy.

 

Miemie:

I'll cover you with sunshine 

To quell your freezing day.

The winter chills are dreary 

I'll warm you from behind. 

I'll cover you with sunshine 

With rays around me shine

I'll wrap you in my arms 

With love enfolding and warm.

Me:

Your sea looks radiant from afar.

It's calm and blue both high and low. 

It speaks of depth, your wisdom shows; 

Inspires my life to know by far. 

As you cover me with sunshine 

While standing here tall and sure; 

The light of your sunbeams divine 

Takes all burdens I've endured. 

©Leah C. Dancel 

Copyright@July 19, 2021

All rights reserved 

SH-Australia 

Filipino Poets in Blossoms 🌸 

Photo-Poetry 

Title Concept Inspired 

by Miemie Verdida 

Sunshine Coast, Queensland 

IF TOMORROW COMES WITHOUT ME

If tomorrow comes without me