MOUNTAIN ANGEL

By Dolly Parton

"Mountain Angel"

Pretty as an angel from the day that she was born

Skin as fair as lilys, hair as golden as the corn

They knew that she was special from the moment she first cried

She was a mountain angel certified

She was her momma's baby, she was her daddy's pride

Good at home, at church and school, at everything she tried

Everybody's darlin' led a charmed and peaceful life

The perfect mountain angel 'til he arrived

She fell so deeply,

he couldn't stop

She gave herself to him, milled it completely

He lifted her so high he let her drop

She gave up everything for him that mattered in her life

All the others that had loved her and she vowed to be his wife

She dreamed of bearing children in an ivy-covered house

The mountain angel's sunshine turned to clouds

The wicked handsome stranger just left the way he came

Broke her heart and broke her mind, she never was the same

They say he was the devil that had come to steal her soul

She never loved another it was told

They say she had a baby, some say that it had died

They say it's just as well as it had been the devil's child

They say good conquers evil, but here evil won the prize

So the mountain angel took to the wild

She couldn't take it

Years passed and she had long since lost her mind

She waited for him as her beauty faded

Her parents died from grief before their time

She tried to gather pieces of her life, they wouldn't fit

Beside the tiny grave deep in the woods is where she'd sit

Talking to the child, herself, to him, who knew for sure

Possessed they say by Satan's insane lure

High atop the mountain, for years they say she's seen

Looking down upon the town where she had once been queen

She'd sneak around the playground, watch the little children play

They'd see the crazy lady then run away

They say she roamed these hills for years, wearing not a stitch

The once lovely mountain angel now thought to be a witch

She made those wailing mournful sounds that you could hear for miles

Long after she laid down upon her baby's grave and died

Her ghost is callin'

She's waiting for the ones that she adored

Through spring and summer, fall when snow is fallin'

Her spirit roams these hills forever more

The mountain angel's voices ever more

PUBLIC AMENITIES

By Leah C Dancel

✍️✍️✍️

PUBLIC AMENITIES

We, travellers, need a place to go

When urgent feelings let us through

If there's someplace we find neat and clean

It is a must we do our part to keep its 

sheen.

Oftentimes people's behaviour show disgust

By using public amenities with lack of care

It's for them why they are there

It's a service provided for from paying tax.

Efficient governance think of their welfare

When rush hours people do need a privy

Wouldn't it be fair if they too look after

Places like this cleaners take care of their duty.

I'm amazed of the kind of country I live.

With so much benefits to citizenry it could give.

People in turn show how to appreciate

Discipline is the key for all goodness we reciprocate.

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 21, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine 

#AnythingFriday

Before The Tears Start To Fall

By Engr. Romeo Balingcongan

Before The Tears Start To Fall

I once overheard someone say

Sometimes love is not enough

With a crack in her voice

With misty moistened eyes. 

I had to walked away at once

With hurried hasty footsteps

To as far as I can no longer hear her

Before another word could form from her lips

And tears start to roll down her face. 

Before some final words that once were said

In the dimming darkening daylight

Intrude into my mind as they often do

And blow open the bottled pain I kept inside. 

Before people stare at me and wonder

Why my walk was starting to wobble. 

Before the image of one who walked away 

Could form in my mind

And tears start to roll down my face.

MY SHADOW

By Jeffrey Dacanay Cejero

#AnythingFriday

My Shadow

I have a special friend named shadow.

Wherever I am, he loves to follow-

Be it a mountain, river or rainbow.

Our friendship has never been shallow.

One morning when there was a heavy rain

Where the gust of the wind was a pain,

My friend shadow did his best to contain

Every coldness and he had nothing to complain.

At noontime when the sun was just above my head,

My shadow turned like to be a shred.

He chose to stay just below my feet instead

So that none of us could walk ahead.

Then afternoon came where sunset made a blast.

Seas reflected the prismatic clouds as they amassed.

My journey in this world was really vast

And grateful for having a shadow that can last.

Evening came but the moon and stars were missing.

Everything was dark and I started shaking.

My trust to my shadow was diminishing

As my heart was bleeding and aching.

When hope was almost gone, I noticed a faint call

Calling my name and asking me to never fall

That he was always with me through this night wall.

This darkness was my shadow, embracing me like a ball.

(C) Jeffrey Cejero

A NEW LIFE

By Jeffrey Dacanay Cejero

#HaikuOfSpring

A New Life

The sun gives its smile

Hugging and kissing the land

Melting snow with love

Tree buds start to sprout

Seeds buried deep down the dirt

Are bursting with joy

Birdsongs filled the air

Frozen rivers start to flow

Dew droplets aglow

Gentle breeze whispers

The chants of nature fairies

Land dances in glee

Sweet fragrance of spring

Sprinkles a new beginning

The land breathes new life

(C) Jeffrey Cejero

THRILLS of ADVENTURE

By Leah C Dancel

Kawsar's Rhyme

THRILLS of ADVENTURE

Careful my little ones; be very careful.

Watch where you are going; try to be mindful.

Of every step where you walk and be heedful.

For the path you tread on, you may find unsafe.

Stay on course, don't go astray with an old rafe.

Wait until you get to where you want to go.

There is no hurry, so take it easy too. 

As you reach the woodland, you may see poor Joe;

Cutting all dead branches and pruning old trees

Clearing the forest to make way for new lees.

Look out for dangers; be cautious, be wary.

Go by the riverwalk to see the rapids

Yet, don't miss the thrills till the adventure ends.

Little ones, pray tell, have you spied the blue birds?

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 27, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#Kawsar'sRhyme

#QuatrainandQuintain

HAIKU of SPRING

By Leah C Dancel

HAIKU of SPRING

Springboard of joyful

season, nature comes alive!

Birds are heard singing.

A garden in blooms --

Kaleidoscopic rainbows

Amazing beauty!

Burgeoning bare trees

to wholesome and perplexing

anatomical

characters of plants,

Endearing wild spectators

to watch them evolve

into a spectrum

of marvelous sight and sound

seen and heard in Spring.

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 26, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#Let'sdoHaiku_Spring

MY INNER PEACE

By Leah C Dancel

MY INNER PEACE

Peace. I can't live without. Inner peace is my ultimate desire in living life to the fullest. 

Contentment, gratitude and joy breed 

comfortable existence. Harmonised in the presence of my children and grandchildren. A loving, caring and close family ties enhanced that peaceful ambience. Especially if you share your love in spending time with nature which awesome beauty is astounding. 

Peace of mind and peace in my heart

are my treasures worth more than gold. I find it within myself in my aloneness when my heart is  light and free and my mind is without worry. 

Peace satisfies my soul. It is fulfilling

whether I am reading or writing, cooking or gardening, meditating or helping someone in need. 

My inner peace manifests in my aptitude and attitude; It shines in my countenance, in the twinkling of my eyes, and in the tone of my speech.

Inner peace promotes good health, increases wisdom, and deepens compassion. Do not look beyond yourself. It lives right there in your heart. 

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © April 12, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

CHANGE BEGINS IN ME

By Leah C Dancel

"CHANGE BEGINS IN ME"

I am overwhelmed by the enormous power of the earth

Its beauty and its awesome wonders

It was faithfully created for humanity

Beyond God's Almighty plans for humankind

But why, we humans purposely destroy all that He made?

Is our greediness more powerful than His?

We have everything we needed according to His wisdom

And they all come from His own will and strength.

Why do we lack appreciation and gratitude?

So much devastations we have seen

As Mother Earth  hits back

Her ires become incomprehensible

She sets her vengeance straight

For us to remember that there's someone above us who is in-charge

And we, humans, do pay the price.

For our wanton negligence

For our despicable attitudes

And we have the nerves to grumble

Over our own misdeeds?

How are we going to undo the grim damages we've done to her?

We can't know where to begin

And where where we start

But I guess we all must change our ways

In treating her well with respect

And that change, as the song goes:

"Change must begin in me."

©Leah C Dancel

Copyright © April 23, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#EarthDay

May 2013

La Loma Linda

California

JOURNEY WE CALL LIFE

Sharing this reflective thoughts.

To have a goal to be at peace with loved ones and conscience would be heavenly. Don't be too selfish with emotions that you tend to forget how others feel.

~Admin.

Lifted from Willie Buyson Villarama

A poem originally in Portuguese.  Will  resonate if like me, you are in your last quarter of this journey we call life.

"I counted my years and realized that I have less time to live by than I have lived so far.

I feel like a child who won a pack of candies. At first he ate them with pleasure, but when he realized that there was little left, he began to taste them intensely.

I have no time for endless meetings where the statutes, rules, procedures, and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be done.

I no longer have the patience to stand absurd people who, despite their chronological age, have not grown up.

My time is too short: I want the essence. My spirit is in a hurry. I do not have much candy in the package anymore.

I want to live next to humans, very realistic people who know how to laugh at their mistakes and who are not inflated by their own triumphs and who take responsibility for their actions. In this way, human dignity is defended and we live in truth and honesty.

It is the essentials that make life useful. I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch the hearts of those whom hard strokes of life have learned to grow with sweet touches of the soul.

Yes, I’m in a hurry. I’m in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give. 

I do not intend to waste any of the remaining desserts. I am sure they will be exquisite, much more than those eaten so far. 

My goal is to reach the end satisfied and at peace with my loved ones and my conscience.

We have two lives and the second begins when you realize you have only one."

LET IT BE: TRUTH IS BEAUTY...

By Leah C Dancel

There are many facets of beauty: internal and external: natural and superficial or artificial; but the beauty within, nothing can surpass each writer's form, belief, advocacy and definition. Beauty that's integral to the TRUTH.

All selected best entries have found a place in a prestigious online magazine for International Language and Arts (ILA)  founded by Annette Nasser  and her competent, yet, humble Team!

My entry got that honour and privilege to be selected:

LET IT BE:

TRUTH IS BEAUTY...

Truth is something we embrace with genuine intent.

It lives in our hearts; embedded in our souls.

It's a component of our belief system, in our conviction, and in our principles 

That guide us in our day to day living.

Honesty, loyalty and sincerity are integral parts of truthfulness.

It is void of pretence, superficiality and hypocrisy in our dealings with life.

It shines in us like the reflection of light in the mirror.

Our actions, deeds, and demeanors measure this virtue.

Truth creates peaceful accord, harmony and unity among humankinds.

Where truth is, beauty shines!

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © April 28, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#Letitbe

#Truthisbeauty

As We Walk this Earth

By Hedda Tady

As dusk ushers in

I ask, how did I spend my day

Did I make someone walk

    a little lighter, 

With a smile, a nod to say, “I see you!”

Did I read with full attention

Paying heed to own questions

Did I write, knowing full well the 

     soul that reads it

Can either feel better, know more, 

     or feel something is not right 

     with the world.

‘Cuz we impact people, hearts and 

     lives

With a word, a gesture, an act, a

     stare

Resist, we might, of the footprints

     we leave in the sands of life

But they are there, irregardless 

     how hard we try to unsee.

I might not wake up tomorrow

Isn’t that the only uncertain 

      certainty

Of the lives we live, the puny ways 

      we sometimes scorn

Or scoff at one another’s attempts

      at living life to perfection.

Must we all close our eyes tonight

With hearts alone, souls filled

Unforgiving, wondering, where

      and how does all this end? 

Games we play, little lies we tell...

Deluding ourselves, they are 

      harmless

Nothing to lose, everything to gain

For self, for career, for honor, fame,

      prestige

Yet hollow is the void within.

What matters, then? 

Isn’t it the people who walk this 

      earth, and they wear your heart

Isn’t it those who have your back, 

       even at times you didn’t have 

       theirs? 

Isn’t it those we forgot on the sidelines, 

       when all their lives, they 

       cheered? 

Ahhh... sometimes we are a funny 

       people

We race against time, yet time 

       stands still

We chase after empty dreams of 

        fame, fortune, honor, afraid to 

        be mundane

Forgetting that peace is love and 

        that to be free, first, we must 

        allow to fuse our lives with 

        those who walk this earth...

Our hearts, they have gained.

Poem by Tahlia Hunter

Shared by Estelle Cortes

Sometimes the wrong paths lead to the right destinations

The wrong choices empower us to make better ones in the future 

The wrong relationships remind us of what we deserve

And the wrong situations or perspectives 

Awaken us to who we truly are. 

Sometimes it takes things falling apart 

For them to fall into place

And there is strength in knowing

That you can rearrange the pieces as you wish 

And create meaning from what was once messy

And beauty from what once was broken

And choose not to confuse your path with your destination 

As the storms of today

Do not reflect the sunshine of tomorrow. 

We’re not here to repeat the past 

We’re not here to simply go through the motions

And we’re not here to follow old, outdated ways of thinking 

But rather to shift, evolve and grow.

To let go of what once weighed us down

And become all that we are capable of being.

Sometimes it takes losing things

For us to grow 

And making mistakes

For us to move forward 

And sometimes it is necessary for us to release our grip

And to stop clinging so tightly to past goals or those

Who have already left us behind 

As if we want something new

It often requires us to stop doing something that is old and let go of who we once were

And it is only then that we are able to blossom into something more beautiful.

It’s okay to let go 

It’s okay to be flawed

It’s okay to be frustrated and angry

It’s okay to heal from past pain and hurt 

It’s okay to be kind to yourself in the process 

And it's okay to move on 

And understand that you can miss things, relationships, people and experiences

Without wanting them back

And celebrate and embrace where you are going 

Rather than remain trapped in the past.

Your life may continue to unfold in a positive direction 

Despite there being disappointment, pain and suffering 

Obstacles are simply a part of the path 

And do not mean that you have reached the end of the road

And it is through releasing past pain and trauma

And unburdening yourself 

That you can finally feel free 

And move on to better, more beautiful things. 

Tahlia Hunter

THE ELEMENTS of LIFE

By Jeffrey Dacanay Cejero

The Elements of Life

In a mountain, I crossed the defile of life;

Hard to climb up, indeed the trial of life.

I watched a lonely star, felt its dying core.

Its fire erupted and burned the smile of life.

The fresh breeze uplifted me when I felt down

As it whispers every secret style of life.

Crying under the rain was a great disguise.

Nobody could see my tears, the Nile of life.

Roses were your love, red as my bleeding heart.

New leaves gave hope but thorns were the vile of life.

The clanging of rusty metals was dull songs.

Swords and arrows, nothing but sad pile of life.

The painful freezing of every hope and dawn

Was the winter, an empty compile of life.

Heaven flashed and there was a roaring thunder.

My cry echoed in the sky as guile of life.

You asked for a distance, a space to be free.

I'm wishing you to enjoy the mile of life.

Seasons continued to roll just like our love.

Time flew too fast and was just awhile of life.

In the darkest night, when everything was cold;

Your moon held the yin, the lonely isle of life.

When summer began, I- Jeff, whose yang was gone;

Hoping you to return in this aisle of life.

by: Jeffrey Cejero

Note from the Author:

The Elements of Life

In a mountain, I crossed the defile of life;

Hard to climb up, indeed the trial of life.

I watched a lonely star, felt its dying core.

Its fire erupted and burned the smile of life.

The fresh breeze uplifted me when I felt down

As it whispers every secret style of life.

Crying under the rain was a great disguise.

Nobody could see my tears, the Nile of life.

Roses were your love, red as my bleeding heart.

New leaves gave hope but thorns were the vile of life.

The clanging of rusty metals was dull songs.

Swords and arrows, nothing but sad pile of life.

The painful freezing of every hope and dawn

Was the winter, an empty compile of life.

Heaven flashed and there was a roaring thunder.

My cry echoed in the sky as guile of life.

You asked for a distance, a space to be free.

I'm wishing you to enjoy the mile of life.

Seasons continued to roll just like our love.

Time flew too fast and was just awhile of life.

In the darkest night, when everything was cold;

Your moon held the yin, the lonely isle of life.

When summer began, I- Jeff, whose yang was gone;

Hoping you to return in this aisle of life.

by: Jeffrey Cejero

GHAZAL Poetry

By Leah C Dancel

WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE: GHAZAL

Winter seems coming in a hurry.

Like darkness, it's nearing in a hurry. 

A bleak weather brings gloominess

Night sky pours non-stop raining in a hurry.

The larks are migrating to a safe place They're flying high at speed pacing  in a hurry.

Glorious sunset  appears in the horizon

Colours of clouds are showing in a hurry.

But when time comes that I - Leah, shall die

My joy awaits in heaven; the day is dying in a hurry.

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 20, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#GazhalPoetry

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 20, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#GazhalPoetry

AUNTIE ODING 85

By Leah C Dancel

Happy 85th Birthday 

Auntie Oding

May long you live

May good health prevail

May your family be at your side

May your smile bring joy and gladness 

May your faith be as strong as ageless rock and as bright as the moonlight

May your hope be as mountains high   and as tall as the trees.

May your love constantly flow like a river that never ceases to fill the sea.

May your kindness be blessed, your prayers be heard, and your heart be happy.

You're my one and only kind of Auntie

The living Matriarch we have!

God bless you Auntie Oding.

Many Happy Returns of the Day!

© Leah C Dancel

May 17, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

"The Wayward Moth "

By Napoleon Torres III

"The Wayward Moth " 

I'm a gypsy moth floating in the breeze.

Going with the wind wanted to rest.

Looking at the blue light of a paraffin candle.

My fragile wings delicate to handle. 

Fluttering in the dark of the night.

I soon found that candle light.

The darkness that hindered my sight.

Lift up with its flame so bright. 

I'm so tired and flew near it.

I'm cold and i wanted its heat.

Flutterng near it i do not care if i'll be singed.

For i'm tired and wanted the heat it brings.

Napoleon Torres lll

05172022

@ All rights reserved.

Philippines

A Little Late

By Stuart Dann

A Little Late 

It should be my natural instinct .

To put my arm over you when I'm awake.

So I could pull you tight to me.

My warm body for you to take. 

Resting your head upon my arm.

My own head upon your shoulder.

To smell your sweet fragrance.

Your shampoo's flow'ry odour. 

I should then tenderly kiss your neck .

Whispering I love you in your ear.

Telling you I am always yours.

That I will always be here . 

As you turn to kiss my lips .

I can see your sweetest smile.

Beautiful are your eyes that sparkle.

I should stare at you awhile. 

I should run my fingers through your hair.

Then across your lips.

Laugh at you affectionately.

As I feel the moisture on my fingertips. 

Telling you as you get out of bed.

How simply beautiful you are.

That I hope you have a wonderful day,

Even if you're not going anywhere far. 

So that you will be at least happy .

With my every word’s touch.

This morning with the promise

That I love you so much. 

Though all that I can really do

Is tell you that you have my heart.

That will hold all that I was to you .

Whilst we continue to remain apart. 

Sadly though I'm unable to show you

As in heaven you sit and now wait .

For me to join you once more.

Except that I may be a little late . 

© Stuart Dann

A WAND'RING MOTH

By Leah C Dancel

Photo credit to ICS, FB

A WAND'RING MOTH

I'm a lonely moth who wanders;

Seeking friendship with the moon;

Who I know will give me room;

In his heart, there's a place I called home.

He has a lamp as old as he;

Flamed by gas that gives it light;

I, the wand'rer, couldn't resist;

It's calling me home, it doesn't desist.

I was told not to stay near;

For I'm not safe when it gets hot;

But my eyes to light behold;

My inner soul surrenders all!

©Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 18, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

#ILAMagazine

#TuesdayChallenge

#moth_flame

RED OAK TREE

By Leah C Dancel

Nurrangingy Reserve

Doonside NSW

May 15, 2022

RED OAK TREE

Go slow in time

Red, green and gold

Autumn colours are sublime

They look alluring and bold.

Leaves are colour morphing

With fiery souls inspiring

Poets like me envisioning

Seasons in time they a changing.

This Red Oak hovers over me

With its hanging foliage shady

Broad branches spread and glossy

From noonday sun it shields me.

A relief to most frail oldies

E'en slow amble makes them weary

Bench seats for them awaiting

To enjoy a respite and great a breezing!

No matter what time and season

Year in, year out this oak tree stands

It's planted there for a reason

To give comfort for everyone!

©Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 17, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

FB Comments:

"I always adore the way you express yourself in a poetic version. You're really gifted." - Nene Mamone

"I love the way you developed your lines nay. You wrote with clarity and its beautiful." - Jeffrey Cejero 

"Inspirational! " - Jeffrey Cejero 💚

"I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the Earth's sweet flowing breast....." Joyce Kilmer as a comment by Myr Reyes E. Tejada

"Love it!" - Diana Amamio Anzalone ❤️

"Profound to feel by the entire lines you knitted. Splendid ink 🖊" - Hum Ale

"The strength and sturdiness of the oak inspires us in our times of weakness! Take care." - Atty Gil P Tabucanon 

"Wonderful poem Leah, love al you compose. Love 2 u xxx" - Joan Laius 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

By Leah C Dancel

Colebee Centre

Nurrangingy Reserve

Doonside NSW

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

A dream to come true

is not a work of magic.

It has nothing to do

with fairy godmothers

who can swoosh their wands and

say, "your wish will be granted!"

It takes fate to intervene

To go in between

your aim, your goal

you lay for the future.

You must set aside 

selfishness and ego;

forget your comfort zone;

instead, work very hard 

till you break your bones.

And believe in yourself,

that in the end, 

what you toil  hard for 

will reap a 

wholesome reward.

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright ©May 17, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

"THE LOVELIEST NIGHT of the YEAR"

By Leah C Dancel

The Wedding: a blend and fusion of two colourful cultures and customs when two Eastern Hearts, Minds and Souls joined together beneath the Great Southern Cross Star fully attended by close Family and Friends. A memorable night for all exuding a glittering elegance matched with extravagance, yet, maintaining the air of family unity, humility and camaraderie.

"THE LOVELIEST NIGHT of the YEAR"

Pardon all the excitements for tonight

Though heav'ns are starless and without moonlight.

Enthralled with delight and a pleasure's treat

I can't help feeling reeled with elation

Around me is  filled with jubilation!

Such an amazing gathering of friends;

The elegance and extravagance feign Not, the ambience of sweeping moments of joy

The exhilarating tide of gladness

Is manifested in everyone's face.

The hall is decked with fairyland's garden

Romance is in the air, a dreamland's den

The princess and her prince will join the throng

Sweet music floats as the band starts to play.

And the grand nuptial's rite heads on its way.

 

In Royal Gala, two lovers appear.

She, a stunning bride, a Princess in love

In the arms of her beau, they walk the aisle

He, the Knight, a Prince no less without spear

Under the rainbow arch that hangs above.

The Celebrant joins their hands together

Solemn in their oath, "till death do us part."

A promise of love through eternity.

Then guests applaud; their folks and kins give cheers!

Tonight is their loveliest time impart.

Lavish is the wedding feast and servings

Of food, drinks and sweets  endlessly flooding

The night is merry and what rejoicing!

Though it's starless and without the moonlight

Two lovers in love beam with much delight.

Off to Paradise, all guests bid adieu.

A new life to begin, a wedded bliss!

We wish you happiness dear Bride and Groom

May your love grow day by day like a tree!

May the blessings from heavens bring forth fruits.

Alex and Zuhair forever will be!

©Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 7, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

Comment:

Linda Heravi - Love your wit, intelligence, warmth and passion which is evident in your description of the whole event and your heartfelt wishes for the couple! 👏 .You’re amazing!!! 😉

The Consolation of Poetry

By Rado Gatchalian

The Consolation of Poetry

by rg

"I want to make a poem of my life."

          - Yukio Mishima

I am a star in a sad

midnight:

often, it only speaks about

a flickering hope —

to fight for reason

and a reason to fight.

If I am a logic

I shall reside between 

two premises:

I am a mortal, I live happily,

I am happy but soon it shall end.

Do not pity a man like me.

There is no logic in a star:

It only shines for one purpose —

To make the night worth remembering.

But only if you and I see the light.

RED

By Leah C Dancel

RED is the blood that runs in my veins

The emblem colour that stands for life and love of my country of birth.

It's the blood that our heroes shed in the battlefield of my homeland where tyrants trampled.

It's the INK of my pen, flowing from wounded hearts that bled ...

The hearts of my ancestors who died

Suffering in the hands of cruel invaders.

RED is the symbol of FREEDOM and LIBERTY

The RIGHT of each HUMANITY to live FREE in peace, in harmony and in unity.

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright ©May 12, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

******

"Ang PULA ay sagisag ng nag-aalab na PUSO sa pagmamahal ng Inang Bayan.

Ito ang kulay ng danak ng DUGO ng ating magiting na mga bayani noong binuwis nila ang kanilang buhay upang ating makamit ang  KALAYAAN sa kamay ng mapag-imbot na mga banyagang mananalakay."

© Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 12, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

THE DETACHED BRANCH

By Jeffrey Dacanay Cejero

The Detached Branch

There was once a big happy mother tree

Where branches are her kids, swinging all free.

Every day is a happy day to see,

Enjoyed growing as busy as a bee.

Mother tree said, "Grow and follow the light.

Never detach yourself from my sight."

All the branches nodded, swayed in delight.

Except for one who saw nothing but night.

One day, the tree was struck by a strong rain,

Drowned the family like a dead chain.

Fierce wind hurt the tree, terrible to contain.

One branch seemed to give up because of pain.

Mother tree shouted, “Spare my branches,”

But it was too late, seemed no more chances.

One branch detached himself, full of scratches.

Carried away by storm, heart full of patches. 

The detached branch was dump to a river.

Seasons witnessed him all his shivers.

Winter of freezing death, summer as fever

Until he reached the sea, his hope for shining silver.

The continuous tossing and splashing

Shaped the branch into a driftwood, dashing!

Years pass, the waves sent him to the shores of kings

In search of mother tree whose love flows like a spring.

There was once a big happy mother tree

Where branches are her kids, swinging all free.

Every day is a happy day to see,

Enjoyed growing as busy as a bee.

By jepoy

#HappyMothersDay

THE MOST RADIATING. BEAUTY

By Jeffrey Dacanay Cejero

The Most Radiating Beauty

(Irregular Ode from the Prism of Life)

Deep down in the earth crust,

Far from the bliss of paradise,

Lies an ordinary mineral of pure dirt,

Facing its tribulation for it to convert.

It suffered continuous hardships.

Pain and challenges are the whips.

Refined by extreme temperature

And hammered by high pressure.

Time came when the pure dirt

Transformed, no longer to be hurt.

Possessing the radiating beauty

That even fairies couldn’t display.

When the volcano got angry,

This beauty danced gracefully.

Rhythmically flowed with this chance,

Grabbing this eruption to advance.

When it reached the ground,

All life forms were drowned.

Because this beautiful creation,

Became everyone’s inspiration.

You’re the most radiating beauty of this world.

You’re the clearest, possessing the heart of gold.

Your will is indestructible from any challenges,

And your soul is flawless, free from any malice.

You are the diamond of my life.

Your beauty dominates all the strife,

Making other gems to dream in wonder.

This diamond, she's my radiating mother.

by jepoy

#HappyMothersDay

AN ODE TO CYNTHIA

By Leah C Dancel

Happy Birthday Chak!!!

AN ODE TO CYNTHIA

From sweet sixteen to sixty five

How time swiftly flies, they say.

The adage that advocates time lapses

In between life and death, we breeze.

But what's in numbers anyway

That we should mind how they run?

The fact that we survive from all earthly strifes 

We pulled our heads for heaven's sake!

Life is short, let's live and let live

With hope and joy, with love to give

The lessons learned from day to day

We cope with struggles and cap with success.

Let's look back how far we've gone

Without regrets we've got things done.

The possibilities are endless, let's press on

Ours is to determine the dreams we hold

For tomorrow is just another day!

©Leah C Dancel

Copyright © May 7, 2022

All rights reserved

SH-AUSTRALIA

THE PULL of PURPOSE

Shared with permission from the Author.

Lifted from ILA Magazine

"The Pull of Purpose"

I encourage you.

Don't let the voices around you 

or inside you discourage you

to stop trying to do something

that you are on the cusp of achieving.

It may have been many steps

that have encompassed your journey

but, do not lose heart;

it will only take one final step

to overcome the obstacles

that are in front of you.

The conclusions of big things are 

very often the result of small endeavors.

Be reassured, you will reap

the harvest of what you have sewn.

Fortify your reserve and keep pushing.

What energy is lacking in the physical

will be reciprocated in the Spirit: And 

when you are in spirit, you inspire others.

So, I encourage you. Be resilient.

Follow through with good things 

and good things will follow you.

Let your pace be consistent.

Always be willing to try.

Fear is a precursor to the 

strength of your bravery.

Let the pull of your purpose

prove your gifts and talents.

Your destination is in front of you.

Always keep your head up 

and be encouraged.

© Eric Aguilar