BEATING HEART

BEATING HEART
"Many a beating heart is silenced by the tyranny of indifference." ~Michael Faudet

THE PUREST PLACE

THE PUREST PLACE
"Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart… where your hope lives. You’ll find your way again.” ~Everwood (Trust Your Journey)

The Bible says

"a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth."

30 January 2024

IN SEARCH OF DEAD MOMENT

Shared with permission from the author.

In Search of The  Dead Moment 
(Published by Delhi Post, India)



The moment of my cry!
Still springing over me
As I ran back the glaring reminiscence
A funny fly touched my eye
An amazing feeling, body quivered
And a wave of hoarse sounds of infancy
Murmured in my ear
The nature made me dumb and blind
Though I was not my own creation
Blew in its light in freedom
 
My cry from birth to the third year
Were but a vague memory
I rushed to find the moment
Whenever I was with my innocence
My mind recounted towards the years
And mind blows in a cool grin
Till silence prevailed
 
My birth to the land
The sacred gift of glory
The moment of closing eyes
It’s remained unchanged to see
As my ears were bearing echo
 
Keeping me on my past
Was I hurting my mother?
Oh! She was the pawn of nature
Her mind always in my eyes
And my innocent eyes playing
Beyond the world.
 
Tears in my eyes along with past
It stopped when I felt
Could I ever hear by my naked ears?
To make my mind as fair as blue sky
 
I ran my line along with moment
As free as highway in loneliness
To bring a point of my cry
To know what I didn’t hear
I should wipe out the teardrops
From my mother’s eyes
In my privilege over my past
 
Yet, I was living with my nature
In search of my dead moment
I shouted through my voice, forlorn
To see and feel my infancy
 
In my mother’s liberty
My eyes would gaze in her eyes
I would be transmitting my sound
Beseeching with a continuous echo
Staying beyond my privilege
Waiting for my dead moment

(C) Hum Ale
(2000) 

Comment:
Very charismatic, nostalgic, poignant. A lovely reflection of youth of how much you have remembered in bringing honour in memory of your dear Mother. Its depthness (and I won't mention a tinged of regret) is one I can relate, perhaps, others too. Excellent narration, with rhythm that accentuates the whole story. Great write my Friend.


THE AUTHOR 

"Writing has been an awesome experience in my literary journey." ~Hum Ale


 Hum Ale is a Nepalese born writer, poet, tennis player, traveller and who works in a bank-related environment.  He's a prolific writer and a patriot known for his burning passion about his country. In spite of his status in life, he remains a humble country boy at heart that is central to most of his writings to which he is proud in showing off his idyllic village for its green beauty and tranquillity beyond description. 

His writings are dished in reflective, poignant and moving nostalgia of his  sentiments about life in general: family, youth, work, adventure, travel, environment and politics. His truths are pretty much of a two-edged sword. 

He's also a published author in many books of poetry he has written and some were published in other periodicals like the one mentioned above. 

I knew him through ILA Magazine (INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE AND ARTS), a poetry group founded by Annette Nasser of the USA.

COMMENDATIONS:

Hum Ale; an exemplary multidimentional personality; an established international poet; who laid and crossed many remarkable milestone in his successful journey. Keep up your literery journey towards the summit of literature. Best wishes our beloved Bhanja Babu. ~Babu Ram Poudel
 

28 January 2024

SAVE ME OH LIGHT

By Leah C Dancel



26 February 2023
Norah Heads Lighthouse


SAVE ME OH LIGHT 

Save me oh Light 
Send your beacons bright
Save me from this perilous sea
Shield me from the terror of the deep
Where darkness live that I cannot see.

Hear my plea oh Light
Succour me from this hour of night 
My faith rekindles and is put to test 
In you all my hope rest.
Your beams will rescue me from perishing.

©️ Leah C Dancel 
29 January 2024
SH-AUSTRALIA

Lifted from PSCS 



DEVINUWARA LIGHTHOUSE 

Country: SRI LANKA 
Series: Lighthouses 
Date Issued: 03 December 1999
Emission: Commemorative 

This stamp gives me an inspiration to write this poem. 






26 January 2024

I LOVE THE SUNBURNT COUNTRY

By Dorothea Mackellar




My Country – I love a sunburnt country

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft, dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold –
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.

Dorothea Mackellar

25 January 2024

AUSTRALIA DAY 2024

26 January 2024



Happy 36th AUSTRALIA DAY 🇦🇺 
To Me

On barbie plate
Chops and snags will sate
My empty guts and tummy sac
Wrapped in thick buttered bread
Toss in fried onions
Spread a barbie sauce.
Toe the line, all is free
No push, no rush
Be nice, be kind.
Smile a friendly grin
Wide and toothsome;
Greet all's g'day Mate!
Australia Day is here to stay
All skins in, nobody's care 
Spread the blanket for family to sit
Beside the esky of beer and drinks 
Let kids let loose
Let them run around
To chase the icecream van, 
To pick a waffle, one or two
Filled with fancy flavours 
All they want 
Ozzie country music blaring,  
And folks a dancing 
While others wait for fireworks 
To shoot into the air.
While bats are hov'ring
round and round 
In hundred flocks,
They speck across the sky
As the sunset plume a show.
AUSTRALIA DAY to me is freedom 
Of fair go, and Mateship uncompared
A country free the world envy
A country I now call HOME!

©️ Leah C Dancel 
Copyright ©️ 26 January 2024
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA 
#australiaday2024

20 January 2024

PETS

21 January 2024



PETS

JENNY,
a golden fish,
died of unknown cause, sadly.
She lived in a Fish tank at home.
Marco was so upset.

Her mate,
old Jeremy,
feeling lonesome, was let go
into the big water to live
with all other fishes.
It's not
easy to bid
goodbye to Jenny and her
mate Jeremy, so dear to us.
It's a teary farewell.

Pets of
any kind do
give us joyful company.
They're a part of us, every  day:
Their presence is a gift.

©️ lcd
21 January 2024
Pensee Poetry 



THE STORY

Gold Fish Tragedy
By Leah C Dancel 
21 January 2023

When you woke up in such a discomfort and a sad news met your dreamless sleep that we lost Jenny in a tragic end, the night before. How she died, it was nobody's guess as she was looking well and good the other day. There was no noticeable sign of lethargy from both Jenny and Jeremy.  But the Lady of the House was the first to have noticed that one of the precious gold thing was floating, lifeless. It must have had been in distress for a while.

Today, the homeowners, especially Marco, the pet caretaker, decided to take Jeremy, the surviving gold fish to a new home in a waterhole in the wilderness. 

It was a kind of unspoken sadness, that created a vacuum in our hearts. We deeply feel sad, but in silence. The moment Jeremy finally has gone out of sight, the Lady of the House gave the poor thing her Last Salute.

Goodbye Jenny. Goodbye Jeremy. May you both be happy where you belong. We gonna miss you heaps.

Photos: SIMMOS BEACH, Fifth Avenue, Macquarie Fields

14 January 2024

DAYDREAMING IN WINTERLAND

Posted at PSCS and shared on my FB Timeline

Published in The Philippine Community Herald News founded by Evelyn Zaragoza.


DENMARK's Winter Wonderland on Stamp issue highlighted in this dedicatory poem.

I have no other information to offer other than this brave soul daydreaming under a  Snowy sky.



DAYDREAMING IN WINTERLAND
(To King Frederik X and Queen Mary of DENMARK)

At broad daylight in a daydreaming trance,
With clouds pouring tears amidst the festal dance;
Soft rain look like pearls of exhilaration 
And the crown of glory creates jubilation. 
A new sovereign king and queen are hailed; 
With throng of thousands came; their love prevailed. 

The dear old Monarch who's lavish in munificence;
Ruled her kingdom with sublime grace and resilience. 
Admired and cherished by all the lands;
Even the clouds above adored where she stands.
A beamish pride, the new King and his lovely Queen warmly  waved to the crowd; 
His daydreaming ceased, as King he vowed.

©️ Leah C Dancel 
Copyright ©️ 15 January 2024
All rights reserved 
SH-AUSTRALIA 
#DENMARK 
#coronation
#daydreaming 
#clouds 

Edited by Jadj Dancel

Comments:

"Expressive ‼️" ~Nestor Punzalan Crisostomo 

"Well versed, expressive & on point." ~Teresita Sy Giok Liong

"A lovely piece of respect for the monarchy of Denmark..👌 Love the Daydreaming stamp 🥰 Pleasant read.. Thank You for sharing this.. 💕🙏❤️" ~Steve Lyman,  ILA Admin

9 January 2024

ENNUI

Shared with permission from the author:

by Gus Perez Amio
10 January 2024
 

ENNUI

The tedious hours tick into a dreary day
Listless
Amidst the humdrum, into relevance I digress
Waiting
This stolid countenance, unnerving and stale
Calls for
Something that wends the mind to connect
A spark
In the doldrums, a selcouth feeling aroused
To last


NB


Thank you ILA MAGAZINE for this citation.


DREAMTIME TRAVEL

FOR PUBLICATION 

Posted at ILA
Backroads and Byways Challenge 


DREAMTIME TRAVEL
(BACKROADS AND BYWAYS)

Travelling alone at my own pace
Gives me freedom and space;
To relish the beauty of a journey 
With ample breathtaking views at liberty. 

The train I'm on, go fast and slow. 
In every nook and cranny, it leaves me
Feeling with vim, vigour and zest;
It's a country train I'm on, going west.

Passing through a scenic mountain range: 
The alluring vistas  have no end;
Along a zig zag rail in the midst of sylvans' trail;
Under long dark  tunnels,  there's both chill and thrill.  

Valleys down the valley of blue haze 
Covering the landscape behind the maze
Of rugged terrain and sandstone walls 
Weaving wild imaginings at sunset, when twilight falls.

Echoes of myths these mountains breathe 
Whom people keep their honour and respect 
Native legends are bound by a legacy 
In dreamtime folklore,  their ancestors lay.

The train I'm on go fast and slow
For travellers like me wanting to know.
How vast these mountains can keep abreast -
The stories of old I heard in the west. 

©️ Leah C Dancel 
Copyright ©️ 27 December 2023
All rights reserved 
SH-AUSTRALIA 
#ILA MAGAZINE 
#BackroadsandByways
#RoadTrip

NB

Along with three other poets,  I've been honoured to be published at ILA Magazine  with my humble contribution as I took part on a ROAD TRIP - Backroads and  Byways. 

In most of my travels in a  literal sense, it's always the scenic countrysides that swept me into a dreamy state especially if the trip lasts 3-4 days. I have the habit of taking mental notes whatever experience I encounter in my travels. 

In a metaphorical perspective,  travelling backroads and byways gives me a sense of freedom,  boosts my confidence,  a feeling of restoration, an escape from the suffocating pressures from our mundane world.  

In every line each poet unravels her/his mind and unleashed her/his thoughts that our journey here on earth is manifested by all kinds of challenges each of us has to face.  Every byway,  every backroad is only a segment of that road trip. What matters most is that, we arrive safely in our destination with memories we choose to keep.

©️ Leah C Dancel 
17 January 2024






8 January 2024

TO FRED and MARY

PARATAXIS

Photos credit to the owners 


TO FRED AND MARY OF DENMARK
(A dedication)


Excitement contained, cool as a cucumber.
Prim and proper, her finesse defines -
The person she is, of humble upbringing.

Who'd think, she'd meet a prince -
In the guise of a man, undercover extraordinaire?
He pitted her attention, nonchalant of her forebears.

A headstrong prince,  a down to earth maiden;
Bound by destiny, blessed in holy matrimony.
The kingdom rejoiced, the people jubilant!

A happy loving Monarch, a charming Crowned Prince;
A faithful Crowned Princess, noble in her dreams.
Along came the heirs; the kingdom reigns.

Elations on the air; anticipations growing.
Great news waves magic, the world stands still.
Hail to the new King; Hail to the new Queen.

May their love rule; may they reign long!

©️ LEAH C DANCEL
Copyright ©️ 9 January 2024
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#ILAMAGAZINE
#parataxisinpoetry

7 January 2024

ADORATION of the MAGI

Posted at PSCS 
7 January 2024


ADORATION of the MAGI

MEANING:
Magi, in Christian tradition, the noble pilgrims “from the East” who followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem, where they paid homage to the infant Jesus as king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1–12).16 Dec 2023

Source: Brittanica 


Three wise men
from the Orient came.
Led by a bright Star
in Bethlehem shone;
A guide to light 
their journey long.
Offering gifts 
to a new born: 
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
They cared not much
that the King of kings,
they came to adore,
was only wrapped
in swaddling clothes. 
They kneeled down
on knees beside a manger
Where baby Jesus was  laid 
over a  hay  as His bed.
Humble kings bestowed 
their  will as angels sang:
Peace on Earth 
Goodwill to men!

@lcd/07012024
Three wise men
from the Orient came.
Led by a bright Star
in Bethlehem shone;
A guide to light 
their journey long.
Offering gifts 
to a new born: 
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
They cared not much
that the King of kings,
they came to adore,
was only wrapped
in swaddling clothes. 
They kneeled down
on knees beside a manger
Where baby Jesus was  laid 
over a  hay  as His bed.
Humble kings bestowed 
their  will as angels sang:
Peace on Earth 
Goodwill to men!

@lcd/07012024

27 December 2023

RAINBOW

26 December 2023
Posted at SUNRISE and SUNSET




As summer's leaves of wonder keep the clouds afloat 
Long days have tarried the sun to go away 
Time drags slow though days swiftly go
The dreaming's impatience creates a stolid show.
Twilight has tenderly digressed into a nightfall 
With no sunset in sight, but the rainbow.

©️ Leah C Dancel 
26 December 2023
All rights reserved

NB

Lara, Irene and I went out to the street to do Dog walking with Cooper, the gorgeous Pomeranz.

I took this chance to snapshot the sky hoping to catch a beautiful sunset, but to no avail.

25 December 2023

FASHION SENSE

By Leah C Dancel



FASHION SENSE

Her charismatic beauty compelled me to WEND my perspective
About
fashion trends that DIGRESSED in recent years, away from conservative style of dressing.
I am
firm and STOLID by not conforming to the whims of women in society.
I frowned
upon their glitterati temperament of endless demand in emulating the Hollywood glamour,
Who snubbed
their mediocrity in fashion sense which to me is rather a
SELCOUTH.

©️ Leah C Dancel
Copyright ©️ 25 December 2023
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#ILA MAGAZINE
#WALTMARIE
#WOW: DIGRESS, SELCOUTH,  STOLID,  WEND 

24 December 2023

HIS JOURNEY ENDS

By Leah C Dancel

HIS JOURNEY ENDS 
(CLEAVE POEM CHALLENGE)

Life's enigma / has tragically SURCEASED
when death drew near / for a dear brother in bed 
whom we keep / in our daily ORISON
though we're aware / of his final destiny
 
We held our hopes high / chanting his prosaic AUBADE 
Stirring memories / in despair with COMPATHY 
But all's in vain / when he could no longer hang on
He's free from pain / now that his journey ends.

©️ LEAH C DANCEL 
Copyright ©️ 25 December 2023
All rights reserved 
SH-AUSTRALIA 
#ILAMAGAZINE 
#CLEAVEPOEM
#SURCEASE 
#AUBADE 
#ORISON 
#COMPATHY 

Leah Dancel - nicely written, heartfelt poem. Great usage of the WOWS. 🩷 ~Annette Nasser,  ILA Founder 

CLEAVE POEM

ILA

HIS JOURNEY ENDS
(CLEAVE POEM CHALLENGE)

Life's enigma / has tragically SURCEASED
when death drew near  / for a dear brother in bed
whom we keep / in our daily ORISON
though we're aware / of his final destiny

We held our hopes high /  chanting his prosaic AUBADE
Stirring memories / in despair with COMPATHY
But all's in vain / when he could no longer hang on
He's free from pain / now that his journey ends.

©️ LEAH C DANCEL
Copyright ©️ 25 December 2023
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA
#ILAMAGAZINE
#CLEAVEPOEM
#SURCEASE
#AUBADE
#ORISON
#COMPATHY




WORDS of the WEEK:
(12/24/23) - (12/30/23)
***

AUBADE (Noun)
[oh-bad]; [oh-bahd]

DEFINITION: A love poem or song as a compliment to someone. A song sung or played somewhere, usually outdoors, welcoming or lamenting the arrival of dawn. This word is of French origin.
***

ORISON (Noun)
[awr-uh-zuhn]
DEFINITION: Prayer
***

SURCEASE 
[sur-sees]
DEFINITION:
(Noun): Cessation; end. Archaic: To cease from.
(Verb): To cease from action. To come to and end or leave off.
***

COMPATHY (Noun)
[kom-puh-thee]
DEFINITION: Shared feelings as in joy or sorrow.
**

You may need to right click on the image to see in full view.







ILA Magazine Poetry Challenge:
*
The CLEAVE POEM - The word "cleave" defines both separate and together, to cut or to meld. It also means to adhere closely. This poem consists of THREE POEMS IN ONE, by splitting each line in 2 parts. The FIRST SECTION, SECOND SECTION and COMBINED SECTION readings should all make sense and stand on their own, threaded together in a way that illustrates how writing and words can connect in contrast, to form new meanings. 

THIS FORM REQUIRES THE POET TO FOCUS ON LINE BREAKS AND THE MEANING OF EACH SECTION AS THEY STAND ON THEIR OWN.

***

EXAMPLE OF MY POEM BELOW - (I've divided first section from second section with a slanted line so you can differentiate - notice both sections read as if both are separate poems and with both read together in combination, it is also construed as a whole poem - the title of my poem is NOSTALGIC REMEMBRANCES):

**
NOSTALGIC REMEMBRANCE 

When SURCEASE of work halts / in hustle and bustle
emotions of fondness / lull within city streets
elevate mood swings / through journeys remembered
past, present / create amiable feelings of longing
revived in reveries / bringing special phases of reflection.

Peacefully / we think of loved ones in ORISON
twinkling flashes in mind's eye / gazing at snapshots
spark tender nostalgia, / events of past holidays
twinging pangs / of comfort and pain
embraced by COMPATHY / dwelling in heart's AUBADE.

Annette Nasser

***

This challenge begins TODAY (12-24-23)
and ENDS FRIDAY (12-29-23)

*
Please apply ALL WOWS: AUBADE, ORISON, SURCEASE and COMPATHY. 

If you do not have knowledge of the definitions, I suggest you look at the WOW definitions I sent prior to this challenge.

BEST ENTRY will be chosen to be featured on ILA.

Good luck poets and I am looking forward to reading your poems!

23 December 2023

THE FEATHER OF

By Leah C Dancel
To Manong Cefring and Manong Ed

Published in The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper founded by Evelyn Zaragoza. 





THE FEATHER OF LIFE

A whiff of tears dropped from my eyes
To see two feathers lying on the ground.
A thought wandered back home...
Who could've plucked you
beneath the wings?

I heard a voice as carried by the wind.
How could it be when the season is sultry?
And not a breeze came wafting by ...
A clear hush sound whispered a reply:

"I was blown down from nowhere
For I couldn't fly; my wings are clipped.
My time on earth has ceased.
My journey in heaven's sealed."

The other feather still battling on;
Holding on, yet weak; strength dwindling.
For how long will his anchor hold?
The tempest's ferocious, will he prevail?

The feather of life gives power to wings:
To soar in the sky; to fly o'er the storms.
To overcome adversities
To protect its domain.

I looked up high where clouds roll by.
Two feathers glide gently on each side.
The rain fell down, their spirit yield.
Rest in peace in your eternal home.

©️ Leah C Dancel
Copyright ©️ 24 December 2023
All rights reserved
SH-AUSTRALIA

NB
Manong Cefring (CEFERINO SEJERA DANCEL - VILLARBA, the eldest son of the 5 children of Tatay Sulpicio Villarba and Nanay Fortunata Dancel Villarba. Nanay Fortun is the only sibling of Papang Doroteo Sejera Dancel. Both were orphans of Baldomero and Ramona Dancel of Ilocos and Solido, Nabas, Àklan.

22 December 2023

SPECTACULAR

By Rado Gatchalian



THE SPECTACULAR
By Rado Gatchalian

The Spectacular, 
which is grand and perpetual,
born from heaven but walks on earth,
everywhere yet nowhere,
above and below yet also in the middle,
elusive, confusing, 
yet written in every stone in the field,
in every flower that blooms in the East,
in every little step of a wandering child.

It is there yet many fails to grasp its content.
but how and why?
to whom it is given?
how deserving a warrior that merits his victory?

The Spectacular, 
soaring like gentle wind,
we seek but hard to find;
the sky roaring with mighty beauty —
let the eyes that see, look carefully;
admire but learn to capture all derivatives,
may it be imperfect or lies, 
learn to differentiate between art and so and so.

You are Spectacular,
from the beginning to end,
always and forever,
all and one,
you and the entire landscape,
you and your ultimate dream.

Look. And listen.

The wind whispers its most beautiful song
in a very delicate place where life begins. 

Listen. And look.

#inspiration #self #truth #meaning

20 December 2023

THE WAVES OF PRAY'R

NOSTALGIC MOMENT



#NOSTALGIC MOMENT
By Leah C Dancel 


THE WAVES OF PRAY'R

The waves girded the shores with foam 
In whiter suits to where they roam.
-

With echo-ing sounds of summer's call
Down to earth, whence,  wherewithal they fall.
-

They carry messages across 
From distant lands of  sing song blues.
-

A little dream to weave on sea 
I deck them like flowers on the lea.
-

Dolphins flap their wings with glee 
Laughing loudly as can be.
-

As Fairy Penguins get ready to flee 
They plunge into the sea happy and free.

The turtles back glint in the heat of sun
While racing at daylight tides without fun.
-
Of course,  these random thoughts are made of strings; 
All tied up to a mem'ry bank in winks. 

Night time is coming, the beach is calling.
So is the moon,  and stars that are twinkling.

My longings for home beside my mother 
Is deeply revered in the waves of pray'r. 

©️ Leah C Dancel 
Copyright ©️ 20 December 2023
All rights reserved 
SH-AUSTRALIA 
#DecemberPrompt
#Couplet 
#ILA MAGAZINE 


COMMENTS:

Love the rhythm and the end-rhymes made the piece lyrically exceptional. The title, a big WOW! Napakahusay po Nay!
~Jeffrey Cejero 


A very revealing expression of your innermost emotion!!! You are endowed with the gift of poetry, Leah Dancel! I am deeply touched. 🩵🤍💙 ~Mariquita Nosce Tandoc



19 December 2023

L * I * F * E

Inspired by Dra. Rolaiza Mimi Singayao 


Mural
Georgia Rose Cafe
Shell Cove NSW 
16 December 2023

L * I * F * E

The reality of life
Lived in a portraiture of words:
Fierce and piercing.

Nostalgia spreads
In a crochet of tangled emotion
Down memory lane.

Looking back
Reminiscing of what's gone before 
Good and bad entwined. 

The wheel keeps turning 
Fortune and misfortune at par
Churning tides both sorrow and joy.

Live life as it should be 
Take what Nature yields
Heartily give it back with care.

©️ Leah C Dancel 
All rights reserved 
20 December 2023
SH-AUSTRALIA 

7 December 2023

TRAVEL

By

Try to travel, otherwise
you may become racist,
and you may end up believing
that your skin is the only one
to be right,
that your language
is the most romantic
and that you were the first
to be the first.
Travel,
because if you don't travel then
your thoughts won’t be strengthened,
won’t get filled with ideas.
Your dreams will be born with fragile legs and then you end up believing in tv-shows, and in those who invent enemies
that fit perfectly with your nightmares
to make you live in terror.
Travel,
because travel teaches
to say good morning to everyone
regardless of which sun we come from.
Travel,
because travel teaches
to say goodnight to everyone
regardless of the darkness
that we carry inside
Travel,
because traveling teaches to resist,
not to depend,
to accept others, not just for who they are
but also for what they can never be.
To know what we are capable of,
to feel part of a family
beyond borders,
beyond traditions and culture.
Traveling teaches us to be beyond.
Travel,
otherwise you end up believing
that you are made only for a panorama
and instead inside you
there are wonderful landscapes
still to visit.
- Gio Evan, poet and songwriter.
Translated from Italian.

6 December 2023

MY BEST FRIEND'S FUNERAL

By Crispulo Tappa 

Christmas Reflection 7



MY BEST FRIEND'S FUNERAL

I dared not, as most men 
do, loudly weep
Or stood by your bier 
and take a peep
Neither mumbled a sorrow-
ful goodbye
Nor offered wreaths that 
wilt and dry.

I did what is oft'n not 
done, in private
Grieve your death, my 
best friend, great
Your passing on to the 
next life, I celebrate
The joys and triumphs 
that we all partake.

I will not write an elegy
of your great story
But sing a joyful song of 
your eternal victory
Over death; death of man,
we shouldn't mourn,
Death is just a beginning
of his next sojourn.

No long sad marches to 
bury your remains
For there in my heart your
memory remains
A parting between friends,
my joyful de jour
A sweet sorrow, only best 
friends can savour.

When time comes for me 
to be in the eternal garden 
Of love, joy, and peace; 
God's ethereal realm
Forever and ever, we shall 
be best friends again.

*A Lament to honor my dear friend/s 
who have passed on to the next life.

5 December 2023

LIVING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

6 December 2023



LIVING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA 

36 years going forward 
Shedding skin; and, belting out
A hymn that makes us one:
To Advance Australia Fair!

Living life the Australian way
Weet bix, barbecue and meat pies 
Falling leaves, snow, hay fever and summer flies. 
A terrain of cultures blend in a migrant's day.

What more can beat the country fetes? 
Football and cricket unite them all.
Albeit all sports create legends of old
Work hard and play hard mould them fit.

ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day
Are days revered in solemn faith.
While New Year's Day and Australia Day 
Firecrackers and  fireworks are at play.

Go Mate! Chase the bloke, but 
Don't mess up with Sheila
Or she'll knock you down 
A tough cookie she is 
When full to the brim. 
 
"Look after this land Mate",  as you do
With the ocean and sea;  mountains and plains ...
For nature has a way to get back to you.
Let's keep it green, let's keep it clean.

There's more to 36 years of learning 
From living life the Australian way 
Whatever comes to mind 
"Keep It to yourself",  they say!

Let's not forget to pay respect 
To the elders of the Bushland.
Their spirits mind your foot, 
Loose or lost in your wanderings.

Beg yours, what's up,  how ya goin?
Get out of the way and join the queue;
Hail TO ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR!

©️ Leah C Dancel 
6 December 2023
SH-AUSTRALIA

***

REVISED VERSION 

LIVING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

36 years going forward
Shedding skin; and, belting out
A hymn that makes us one:
To Advance Australia Fair!

Living life the Australian way
Weet bix, barbecue and meat pies
Falling leaves, snow, hay fever and summer flies.
A terrain of cultures blend in migrant's day.

What more can beat the country fetes?
Football and cricket unite them all.
Albeit all sports create legends of old
Work hard and play hard mould them fit.

ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day
Are days revered in solemn faith.
While New Year's Day and Australia Day
Firecrackers and  fireworks are at play.

Go Mate! Chase the bloke, but
Don't mess up with Sheila
Or she'll knock you down
A tough cookie she is
When she yells enough!

"Look after this land Mate",  as you do
With the ocean and sea;  mountains and plains ...
For nature has a way to get back to you.
Let's keep it green, let's keep it clean.

There's more to 36 years of learning
From living life the Australian way
Whatever comes to mind
"Keep It to yourself",  they say!

Let's not forget to pay respect
To the elders of the Bushland.
Their spirits mind your foot,
Loose or lost in your wanderings.

Beg yours, what's up,  how ya goin?
Get out of the way and join the queue;
Hail TO ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR!

©️ Leah C Dancel
6 December 2023
SH-AUSTRALIA


TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...

Lifted from



TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...

To the woman who has lost her spark.

To the woman whose get up and go, has well and truly gone.

This is for you.

This is to remind you whose daughter you are.

This is to remind you, that you don’t have to be everything to everyone, every day.

You didn’t sign up for that.

Remember when you used to laugh? Sing? Throw caution to the wind?

Remember when you used to forgive yourself more quickly for not always being perfect.

You can get that back again.

You really can.

And that doesn’t have to mean letting people down or walking away.

It just means being kinder to you, feeling brave enough to say no sometimes.

Being brave enough to stop sometimes.

And rest.

It starts the moment you realise that you’re not quite who you used to be.

Some of that is good, some of that is not.

There are parts of you that need to be brought back.

And if anyone in your life is not okay with that... they are not your people.

Your people will be glad to see that spark starting to light up again.

So, if you have been slowly fading away my friend, this is the time to start saying yes to things that bring you joy and no to things that don’t.

It’s really pretty simple.

© Credits : Donna Ashworth

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Image by Kevin Carden

Read more :- https://koppiz.com/independent-modern-woman-32-years-old-creates-comics-based-on-her-observations-of-society-20-new-pics/

GRAIN OF SAND

5 December 2023


To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower 
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 
And Eternity in an hour
A Robin Red breast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rage 
A Dove house filld with Doves & Pigeons
Shudders Hell thr' all its regions...    

-- William Blake 


1 December 2023

THE JOURNEY of the DUSTS

By Jeffrey Cejero 

Photo credit to Pexels 

The Journey of the Dusts
by jepoy

In the deep space, I float endlessly
And as the river of time
continues to flow
And seasons come and go,
My entrapment remains eternal
And my freedom is the end of infinity!

I'm grateful for those I met along the way.
There were times, I was blown away by astral wind
Until I landed on a desolate world
And taken care by an ancient mountain
Then, judgement day came and that world faced its doomed!

There were times, I just floated in nowhere.
Felt nothing but coldness,
Saw no light but darkness
But still, I was just a speck of dusts.
Just nothing in the eyes of gods and even mortals.

As I float in space,
I surrendered everything to destiny and fate
And praying to fortune to give me luck.
My wish came true after failing a million wishes.
A dying star welcomed me and served as my sanctuary.
On those aeons, I felt the agony of this aged spirit
But blessed for I was gifted of its past.
A blink of an eye in the perspective of gods,
The dying star, my sanctuary turned to ashes and dusts.

The omniverse is endless
Just like my sailing in the sky.
On this state, I lost the concept of time
And the space I were in.
In this torn dimension just below the heaven, I found you.
And maybe someday
If fate allows me to break my samsara,
If destiny would let me attract you
And fortunate enough to stay in your warm core,
Maybe I could transform from dusts to your brightest star!
************

Thank you for being a part of my 43rd journey around the sun. Though I'm just a speck of dusts, maybe you valued me like an ant, or as precious as a mountain or as bright as the sun or like a star!
No matter what you give to me, it will always be a part of me. I can turn all of those into my own foundation and in shaping my own life.
Thank you!

25 November 2023

SIP YOUR TEA, NICE AND SLOW

Shared by Nestor Punzalan Crisostomo:

A poem by Prof Anne Lee Tzu Pheng (Singapore Cultural Medallion winner). She was formerly in the English Literature Dept in NUS. This is a powerful poem on human friendship and loving one another.

Sip your Tea
Nice and Slow
No one Ever knows
when it’s Time to Go,
There’ll be no Time
to enjoy the Glow,
So sip your Tea
Nice and Slow.

Life is too Short but
feels pretty Long,
There’s too Much to do, 
so much going Wrong,
And Most of the Time 
You Struggle to be Strong,
Before it’s too Late
and it’s time to Go,
Sip your Tea
Nice and Slow.

Some Friends stay,
others Go away,
Loved ones are Cherished 
but not all will Stay.
Kids will Grow up
and Fly away.
There’s really no Saying 
how Things will Go,
So sip your Tea
Nice and Slow.

In the End it’s really
all about understanding 
Love 
For this World  
and in the Stars above,
Appreciate and Value 
who truly Cares,
Smile and Breathe
and let your Worries go,
So Just Sip your Tea
Nice and Slow."

When I'm dead.
Your tears will flow
But I won't know
Cry with me now instead.

You will send flowers, 
But I won't see
Send them now instead

You'll say words of praise 
But I won't hear.
Praise me now instead

You'll forget my faults,
But I won't know.....
Forget them now instead.

You'll miss me then,
But I won't feel.
Miss me now, instead.

You'll wish You could have spent more time with me,
Spend it now instead

When you hear I'm gone, you'll find your way to my house to pay condolence but we haven't even spoken in years.
Look for me now. 
 
*"Spend time with every person around you, and help them with whatever you have to make them happy, your families, friends and acquaintances.*

*Make them feel Special because you never know when time will take them away from you forever.*

Alone I can 'Say' but together we can 'Talk'.
Alone I can 'Enjoy' but together we can 'Celebrate'  
Alone I can 'Smile' but together we can 'Laugh'

That's the BEAUTY of Human Relations. 
We are nothing without each other 
So Stay Connected!

🙏🙏🙏

Brief review:

"Composed by the Singaporean poet Anne Lee Tzu Pheng, this remarkable poem dwells on the nature of time and the relationship humans share. It invites the reader to be present in the moment rather than losing oneself in regret and guilt about the incontrovertible nature of time and lost opportunities. This poem is to remind us to take our time to live life and appreciate the value of life and memories that lives on beyond time and death. " ~Mohona Banerjee, STILL STEEPING, Blogger