Archive for the ‘Touched by an idea’ Category

A shadow clad in tattered rags
grime and dirt on his hands and face
his soiled, blistered feet, unshod
his hands clutching a prize
enough to defy hunger, mute its fangs
while he awaits, tomorrow

As he, well clothed in high end fashion
manicured hands, clean-shaven face
his socked feet, shod in shined leather
his ringed fingers on a triggered handle
enough to silence a life, defy all reason
barely outlives, today

Yldara / Maria Stanphill  3001080743

 

Scavenging, searching for something
to eat, keep warm. By the ruins,
looking for some form of shelter
to shroud and rest one’s weary flesh.

With every heartbeat, in every
rustle of leaves and footfall heard,
fear rises – an eerie shadow
waiting to pounce, to still what breathes.

Pain. Anger. Silenced companions
draped over these weighted shoulders.
They keep hope alive against odds
chaining feeble humanity.

Cardboard boxes, sheets of metal:
makeshift bed and cover, enough
to while the night away, wishing
liberty rises with the sun.

Yldara/Maria Stanphill  2911070828

as it crackles and it burns
away the night; the cold air
slipping past wistfulness on a dare
billowing in smoke, still yearns
for the illusive light of dawn

hear the silence; make it yours
alone, before the cicadas start
their own chorus and your heart
chases it, straight out the doors
bowing in defeat to a yawn

Yldara/M. Stanphill

Shadows roaming free
impressions of a moment
lithe, somber acknowledgment
of truth, plain to see

Swirling, ageless face
distant from grasp and yet near
commanding presence too clear
of long gone love’s trace

Tall tales of freedom
rising from the ashes cold
fresh, spinning from threads of gold
burgeoning wisdom

Yldara 1807071139

Blood courses and runs through my veins
And I do what needs to be done
I wake each morning just grateful
- Able to get out of my bed

Slowly, I count all my blessings
For I am loved, and I still have
Friends, poetry and family
To live for, share with and to love

As nighttime comes, I then rejoice
For what I was able to do
Fact is, there is a point in life
When being alive is, enough

Yldara  2911070735

Yesterday at church (January 6th), we celebrated Epiphany.  It was to me personally, a relevant revelation to ponder more on God’s great love and to somehow share it with everyone.  Yes!  His love is for you and for me, let us bask in it and celebrate it in everything we do, think and feel.

Thought I should start this day by encouraging those who are called to write, to not be timid in the sharing of their gift, and…..

Just write

 

Gather up one’s courage
And collection of ideas
Dust away the cobwebs
Veil of hidden thoughts
Think – write.

Grasp that pen and paper
Find a topic and a prompt
Start jotting down words
Mold them into verses
Do - write.

Warm up to the flow
Get excited once more
Let imagination reign
To your heart’s content
Just - write.

Yldara  1311070729

Talamak na ang kanser
na dumuduro sa pagkatao
Nanunuot sa kalamnan
ang pagkagumon sa bisyo

Dating anghel na sinunod
ngayon ay kadiliman ang dala
Mga biyayang inaasam-asam
ibinaon na’t nailibing sa alaala

Kinabukasan ay di maaninag
Masalimuot. Makupad. Marupok.
Hangin na hatid sana’y ginhawa
pumalit ay di masikmurang usok

Nagagalit na ang kalikasan
dahil sa tinamong mga sugat
Ang nais sana ay makalaya
ngunit gapos, sa tibay ay sukat.

Yldara/M. quintos-stanphill

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Author’s Comments:

***This poem was penned/written over 24 years ago as an observation of people, events and nature at the time. It was meant to be an eye opener of sorts and a challenge. It was actually the first Tagalog poem I have written—I thought I should post it since it seems appropriate even in today’s “struggles”.


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from soul-searching lines, remembered
stacks of scribbled notes on paper
painted words of thoughts and notions
promised to, written from the heart

collecting dust for years on end
just shoved inside drawers, under
beds and a number of boxes
waiting for the perfect moment

now released, finally dust-free
to all who dared to care, freely
shared. Flowing, steadfastly moving
poetry and promise fulfilled

Yldara 3011070639

 

mixing phrases in a pinch
gilded in gold, inch by inch
brewing bottles of potions
mirrors of thoughts and notions

casting pearls, chasing shadows
with cupid’s own winged arrows
held fast, pure, by twilight’s youth
grains of wisdom, leis of truth

bemused, stuck, battling a wall
taming monsters, ten feet tall
handcuffed by noisy chatter
dancing with old grey matter

sifting thoughts, dark brew sipping
tossing words, pebble skipping
eyes on the noose, hung up high
as another day goes by

lost perhaps, still hard-wired
in poetry, inspired

Yldara  3107071034

Worn leather straps and painted varnish
aged wood and yellowed liners inside
treasured mementos of the past kept
dust-free, among an array of pipes
and cigars. All, treasured pieces

 

Wish one could still search through
that chest like before. It is now gone
No one quite understood why -
just like when mom came home and said:
“Grandpa is now at peace; in Heaven rests.”

Yldara 051107359