Sustansya

Marcos Martial Law

2009-12-21T22:53:00.000-08:00

Marcos Martial Law
mother simply stares at the picture
of my missing brother

Melcichon
December 22, 2009

2 Seconds a Day

2009-04-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

i'm thinking of you-
a second before i sleep
until a second before i wake up.

Kon Ugsad

2009-03-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

Kon ugsad ag owa ka
Nagaligum-dueom rang banwa
Kon eati ag sa ang euyo ka
Naga-ugsad, rang dughan nagapyesta

Maeara
April 1, 2009

Leading Question

2009-03-19T23:59:00.000-07:00

kung ang paghimo kang mga binalaybay
pareho lang ka hapos sa pagpamasyar sa isa ka babayi,
adlaw-adlaw ako masulat.

pero paano kay kabudlay magpili kang sakto nga mga tinaga
para matapos ko ang tula nga d'ya
mas ano ayhan kabudlay nga mapasabat ko ikaw?

kay kang namangkot ko, wara kaw kasabat
siguro kabudlay gid kang pamangkot ko
kung aram kaw, sabta ko bi. =')

Ala-singko ti Aga, Gahulat nga Magbukas ang Dorm

2009-03-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

kasanagon,
sangka adlaw antes matapos ang klase
nagsulat ako.

ginapaminsar ko kung
makit-anay pa ayhan kita kar-on
daad kung masugalaway man ta,
indi magbag-o ang imo yuhum

kadya, kaagahon dun
nagnago dun ang mga bituon
kina pa ko gahulat
pero anhaw buhay gid magsanag?

siguro kay kahapon naglikaw 'kaw
kang nasigalaw mo ako
mahambal lang man ko daad
kang mayad nga adlaw-
kay nakita ko ikaw...

haay
daad mabuslak dun ang adlaw.

Thinking of Summer

2009-03-17T22:28:00.001-07:00

thinking of summer---
the mango is still
green

Maeara
March 18, 2009

Trangkaso (Stage 5)

2009-03-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

kang ako naospital
adlaw-adlaw mo ako
ginadar-an kang imong
mga binalaybay
asta nga sila naging akon
mga bulong.

sa diin kaw dun kadya?
kay ang ginbilin mo
nga mga tinaga
kulang gale
para mapaayad

ang mas lala nga sakit
nga akon naagum
kang wala ka na nagbalik.

Malinong Ro Palibot

2009-02-26T12:56:00.001-08:00

Huni eang it suksok rang mabatian
Makaraya man baea kalinong
Ring pini-ino kon owa ako
Sa euyo mo
Ag ugsad?

Ligum Dueom

2009-02-23T19:13:00.000-08:00

ligum dueom--
ginsiad it kilat
ro agi't ugsad

Maeara
February 24, 2009

shotgun love

2009-02-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

the gun looks at you
as I ask
“do you love me?”

the gun answered me
as you said “I’ll
never do.”

Operating Room

2009-02-14T21:09:00.000-08:00

Operating Room--
suddenly
it turns midnight

Maeara
February 15, 2009

"guavity"

2009-02-14T19:08:00.000-08:00

like Juan Tamad,
I look at her
as a guava
hoping she'd fall.

y ≠ mx + b

2009-02-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

a poet creates lines
by weaving words
how can a mathematician
make one
by just two dots?

Eati

2009-01-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

eati--
ginkutoe ni Siony
ro sukoe nga gumamila

Maeara
January 24, 2009

new moon--
Siony cuts off
a gumamila bud

Translated by Maeara
February 15, 2009

"I Choose You"

2009-01-21T03:45:00.000-08:00

"I have to flip a coin
a hundred times," she said.

"It's tiresome, just say
you've got a 48-52 result," said I.

"She might be flipping a coin now."
That night, I tried it too.
"This is my last shot."

If I get a head, she's mine.
If I get a tail-
I'll flip over and over again.

Fate

2009-01-19T02:58:00.000-08:00

"i have to flip a coin
a hundred times," she said.

"it's tiresome, just say
you've got a 48-52 result," said I.

at night, i tried it.
"this is my last shot.
if i get a head, she's mine."

at the toss of a coin,
47-head
53-tail
i just sighed.

You, Me, and I

2009-01-18T05:48:00.001-08:00

I and Me love You
Me loves you more than I
but You loves I more than Me

If I will be gone
Will You find Me?

You chose I
yet I has found another one
so You is brokenhearted

You, don’t be stupid!
I has been gone
but Me is here to stay
yes, Me can wait forever
yet Me can’t stay any longer

Me is still waiting for You
will You give Me a chance?
I has been a fool to let You go

finally, I has been back
but You is now with Me.

Virus

2009-01-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

you’re lost inside my universe
if i tell you the right way out
will you ever come back?

because i need you
and i’m lost inside you’re heart

but please
don’t tell me the right way back

because if you do
outside,
there is only nothingness
without you, i’m lifeless.

Windstruck

2009-01-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

how can I breathe?
for you’re my air

you have no ears, eyes, nor mind
but how do you know that
I need you?

you’re always there
but I can’t even hold your hand
you can’t speak
yet I can hear you whisper

you’re the wind
ephemeral, elusive
whom i was with
that one cool afternoon
as we’re alone together
in that lonely bench

you once passed by me
how can you ever chill my heart
with sadness?

yet if that’s the only way
for you and me
to be the two of us
as you pass by,
take with you my being
and leave me breathless.

Igto Sa Kanae

2009-01-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

igto tanan
sa kanae ro tatlong
pueang rosas

Maeara
January 17, 2009

A Poet's Love

2009-01-16T22:49:00.000-08:00

How do I love you?

I love you, not just as how the roses bloom without the aid of the day
or as profound as my lessons in advanced accounting
I love you, not just as how a desert lily longs for a single drop
or as how Sleeping Beauty waited for her prince beloved

I love you, far mysterious than any secret poem ever written
For I love you, deeper than the soul.

Yet, I cannot love you
I do not love you, I will not love you
except because of no because
except because I simply love you.

so simple that I see myself
when you look into my eyes
so simple that my chest moves
when you breathe
so simple that I dream
when you fall asleep.

Stay

2009-01-11T19:35:00.001-08:00

I want to stay with you
I need to stay with you
but
You only want me to stay
You just want me to stay
away.

2009-01-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

Gravity

(who said it is not responsible for people falling in love?)

ginsugo mo ko
nga sakaon ang mangga

"ihulog
kay saluon ko"

sang nabali ang sanga
kita na nga duwa.

(this was written on Jan 6, 2009, 3:15 a.m. just about 18 hours ago during my moments of agony when i can't sleep thinking of the girl who makes me refuse to refuse to write)

Happy New Year To All!

2008-12-31T18:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all!
I hope that in the next years to come, we will produce more creative works and win more literary prizes.

Merry Christmas to All

2008-12-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas vacation na.
So Merry Christmas to all
I got a copy of the latest issue of UPV CM's Account's Literary Folio.
Very good. Keep it up ladies and gentlemen!
And thanks for the copy.

Awit sa Larangan

2008-12-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

Ni V A F Dipanasalang
The author is a UPV third year student.

May kakaibang sigla
Ang aming dugo
Sa pakikibahagi
Sa kontradiksyon.

Sa pagdaloy, naiilarawan ang aming ilog
Sa pagdanak, ang aming dugo
At sa digmaan, ang aming tagumpay.

Sa paghahanap, paninipit, pagpipisil
Paghawak, pagkita, pagdamdam
Ng mga kontradiksyon
Tungo sa kapuspusan
Ng pagiging tao;

Sa paniniig, pamumuhay
Pagbukas ng ating mata
At pagkilala
Sa mga naglalakihang
Gusaling nakatayo
Sa lipunan sa
Pagdaloy ng kasaysayan;
Sa paglansag sa mga ito
At sa pagsigaw
Ng tamang pakikibaka
Sa pagbubukang-liwayway
Ng katauhan
Ang ating paglalakbay pilitin mang sagkaan,
Tayo’y iipon , titindi, lalakas,
Magbabalikwas at baha na lalaban!
At sa dulo ng ating pakikibaka,
Ang lahat at lahat ay babalik
Sa masa, ang dagat nating ina!

Tungang Adlaw

2008-10-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

tungang adlaw
owa gahueag ro mga daho't
kapayas ag saging

After Typhoon Frank

2008-07-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

by
Melchor F. Cichon

after Typhoon Frank--
decaying stumps
of giant trees

Ang Mangunguma

2008-07-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

ni Alex Biboso

Sin-o ini nga mga tawo?
Amo ini ang mga tawo nga naga uli sa mga malutak nga lugar
Naga pangabuhi sang malinong nga daw isa ka susyodad nga gina tawag nga Baranggay
Gina lakbangan sila kang panuruk kang iban nga tawo
Sa bag-o nga generasyon, gina etsapwera kang iban
Pero naga kayod tanda sa guihapon sa anda nga uma
May gabagyo man o gasingke ang silak
Para makaka-on ang anda mga pamilya
Kag may garastuhon sa anda pagpaeskwela sa anda mga kabataan.

Aha! ang pagpertinisar sa garastuhan
Ang pamasahe, halin sa balay pa agto sa eskwelahan kag pabalik
Matrikula, halin sa high school asta makatapos sang kolehiyo
Ang mga kinahanglanon sa eskwelahan,halimbawa lapis, ballpen, kag notebook
Kag kon wara gin tanda ti pili-an kay ang pirili-un tama gid ka limitado
Gina baligya nanda ang anda nga ginasarigan nga mga amigo
Ang karbaw kag baka
Para mapamag-an ang anda nga gina pas-an.

Naga abot ang ti-on nga ang mangunguma dalum ang ana nga pinsar
May problema ra
Pero sa tuy-Tuy, pag pasinsiya, kag pag sakripisyo
Malampasan na ang ana nga pag tilaw.

Ang mangunguma sa tulad nga panahon makasarang makabakal
Kang telebisyon kag muebles
Para madekorahan ang ana nga simpli nga balay
Kag makakuon tana sa ana nga kaugalingon
Amo dya ang bunga kang akon nga kayod kag pag sakripisyo
Kag sa akon nga maayo nga tagipusuon kag handum.

paano pumatay ng demonyo

2008-06-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

paano pumatay ng demonyo
Rodelen Paccial

...at kung paano pumatay ng demonyo,
yan ang huling lektyur nya sa amin,
bago siya magkayab sa kalangitan.

palitan mo ang kanyang pangalan.
sa iyong isip,
gawin mong Kerwin o Jhun-jhun,
ang demonyo'y demonyo lamang
dahil tinatawag mo siyang
katungaling kahanay mo sa listahan
ng mga astig na hangaway.

ika'y malikot na espada,
ika'y mabigat na panghampas,
palitan ang estado ng mundo,
paslangin ang mga demonyong
Kerwin o Jhun-jhun.

Oras ng Silakbo

2008-05-09T02:16:00.001-07:00

Ari ang winning entry sang aton amigo, Marcel sa 2007 Heritage Poetry Contest.
Marcel, Damu gid nga salamat sa paghatag mo sang permission.--Sir Mel

O.N.S.
(Oras ng Silakbo)
FIRST PLACE, CO-WINNER by Marcel L. Milliam:

Unan mo’y mga bisig ko
Sa aandap-andap na ilaw
Kinukumutan kita ng yakap
Hingal at kapwa sisinghap-singhap

Salikop ng labi mong bumibigay buhay
Angkin mo’t ayaw mapaghiwalay
Mga anghel kaya’y magalit
Sa mapangahas kong pagpuslit
Sa likurang pintuan ng langit?

Buong lakas kong naisambulat
Sinimot, nilasap mo, ulang kumalat
Pagbuhos ng bugso ng nakaw na saglit
Saan kaya kakanlong, sa bagyong masalimuot

Ngunit haring araw, lulok na sa kanyang trono
Bangon na, bago pa man makahalata ang mundo
Halik ang syang tanging huling gawad
Bago lisanin, unan, kumot, bisig, at nakaw na saglit

Holy Friday

2008-03-17T01:22:00.000-07:00

Holy Friday--
a child tells her grandpa
to knell

Melcichon
March 17, 2008

Marcel winning entry in Heritage Poetry Contest

2008-03-16T02:14:00.000-07:00

Our good friend, Marcel L. Milliam won first prize (co-winner), in the 2007 Heritage Poetry Contest.

His winning piece, O.N.S. (oras ng Silakbo) is found in this site: http://meritagepress.com/babaylan/

I hope Marcel will allow us to reprint his work here, and tell us more about this poetry contest so we can also participate in it.

Death Walks

2008-03-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

by

Melchor F. Cichon
March 9, 2008

Death walks
Into the room
When she came.

Like a papaya
With arm-length leaves
And twice as much shadows.

But there are
No tombs, no graves
To be opened
Or to be nailed on.
Nothing to waste tears.
Nothing to wake upon.

When Amihan comes in
Death sways
Which ways
The wind blows.
Like a papaya.
No core.

What if Habagat
Comes along?
What if earthquake
Strikes?

Death walks
Into the room
When she came.

Like a papaya
With arm-length leaves
And twice as much shadows.

Initial Public Offering

2008-03-08T01:45:00.000-08:00

Verseculo Senti-UP Poet Society will have its litfol release on March 20, 2008. We are accepting poems from anyone whether from Up or outsiders.

Pangandoy Lamang

2008-03-05T03:21:00.000-08:00

Pangandoy nako nga mulupad sama sa hangin
aron mahalukan ang matahum nga mga bulak
Sa lugar nga ako lang ang makatungkad
kung diin ang sapa gasayaw sa katin-aw

Pangandoy nako nga mulupad sama sa hangin
aron matandog ang gasidlak nga bulanS
amtang gakatulog ang kalibutan,
gakos ko ang maanindot nga mga bituon

Pangandoy nako nga mulupad sama sa hangin
aron madala ko ikaw sa akong damgo
Bason pa lang matabo nga higugmaon mo ako..

Translation:

PANGARAP LAMANG

Pangarap kong lumipad kagaya ng hangin
upang mahalikan ang magagandang bulaklak
Sa lugar na ako lang ang nakakatunton
kung saan ang batis ay payapang sumasayaw

Pangarap kong lumipad kagaya ng hangin
upang mahawakan ang nag-aaninag na buwan
Habang ang mundo ay natutulog,
yakap ko ang kaakit-akit na mga bituin

Pangarap kong lumipad kagaya ng hangin
upang madala kita sa aking panaginip
Baka sakaling mangyari na mahalin mo ako..

Warning

2008-03-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

Please be informed that somebody hacked my old email address: melcichon@yahoo.com
If you received a message asking for money and using that old email of mine, please disregard it. It is a hoax.

Thank you.

Sir Mel

Tips in Poetry Writing

2008-02-26T05:40:00.000-08:00

By
Melchor F. Cichon
March 13, 2008

Every poet has his own way of writing poems.
I have my way.

Generally before I write a poem, I read. Just anything. But if there is a book of poetry, I pick that up first and read it.

While reading it, most often an idea comes in.

An idea comes in like lightning. If you cannot record it, it will be lost forever.

Or if you can remember it, good.

So what I do is, I always bring a notebook, and a pen or pencil. Once an idea comes into my mind, I write it down.

Usually, this idea becomes the focus of my poem. If more related ideas come in, I continue my writing until I finish the poem. Otherwise, I just leave it there for future use.

I write my first draft as it comes from my heart. But once I revise it, the writing will now come from my mind. I become the first critic of my work.
And I revise it without mercy.

How many times do I revise my work? I do not know. Perhaps once, perhaps two. Or even more.

If I feel that I have molded it the way I wanted it to be, then I stop.

How do I know that it has reached the end of it? When I feel that everything that I hope to put in it is already there.

How do I revise my poem?

Is it wordy? If it is, I trim the adjectives that I believe should not be included in the poem. I prefer more action words. The shorter the sentence the better.
I check the spelling, the grammar, and the words and phrases. The whole sentence.
Is there unity? Is there logic in the arrangement of the stanzas?

Can I use a noun as a verb? Instead of saying, I threw him a stone. I will say, I stoned him. That's more emphatic. Stricking, isn't it?

Can I be understood? Are there words that are very difficult to understand? If there are, I change that to something that is easily understood.

Like Robert Frost, I prefer to use easy to understand words. Easy they seem to be, but they can evoke layers of meanings.

Let us take this poem:

HAM-AT MADUEOM RO GABII, INAY?
Ni
Melchor F. Cichon

Inay, ham-at madueom ro gabii?
May buean, Toto, ugaling may galipud nga gae-um.
Inay, ham-at madueom ro gabii?
May bombilya ro mga poste't Akelco,
Ugaling may brown-out.
Inay, ham-at madueom ro gabii?
Ginsinindihan ko ro atong kingke,
Ugaling ginapinaeong it hangin.
Inay, ham-at madueom ro gabii?
Toto, matueog ka eon lang
Ay basi hin-aga temprano pa
Magsilak ro adlaw.
Indi, 'Nay ah!
Sindihan ko't uman ro atong kingke.

Here the words are very simple. But is it really easy? Does it evoke other meanings? Does it dig your senses, your feelings, your conscience?

If I find that the word I used is abstract, I try to change it with concrete words—or words that have pictures.

Concrete words describe things that people experience with their senses: red, cold, dog. A person can see red, feel cold, and hear the bark of a dog. This is related to image.

In using images in our poems, we use our five senses: smell (fragrance of a sampaguita), taste (the taste of heaven of durian), touch (soothing touch of mother), feelings (with no one to talk to, I know the meaning of loneliness), hearing (the sound of Jawili falls).

Abstract words refer to concepts or feelings, like liberty, happy, love. A person cannot see, touch or taste any of these things. These abstract words are common in greetings cards. That is the reason why poems in these cards do not reach the textbooks, particularly in anthologies. Many of the words used in greeting cards are clichés. Simply said, generally, texts in greeting cards have no poetic value.

Example: If I used flower, I change it to a specific flower like gumamila or sampaguita or rose. If I use tall, I change it to, say, flagpole so that the reader will have something to compare with it. In short, avoid generic words.

Here is a line: She fells happy.
Better: She smiles. Or she jumps.

Here are some words that poets should avoid using when writing a poem.

Big, happy, tall, beautiful, great, little.

I also check whether I used a cliché. If I did, then that line should either be revised or be deleted outright. If I cannot create a fresh metaphor for that questionable line, I change the whole sentence.

Cliché is like a rose that has lost its fragrance and beauty.

A cliché is an over-used metaphor like: she is like a red, red rose. Here is a poem which is full of cliches:

Predictable

Poor as a church mouse,
Strong as an ox,
Cute as a button,
Smart as a fox.

Thin as a toothpick,
White as a ghost,
Fit as a fiddle,
Dumb as a post.

Bold as an eagle,
Neat as a pin,
Proud as a peacock,
Ugly as sin.

When people are talking
You know what they’ll say
As soon as they start to use a cliche.

Here are some cliches that poet should avoid:

Being in the same boat
Building bridges
Clasping at straws
Cutting the Gordian knot
Earning brownie points
Getting a feather in their cup
Getting down to brass tracks
Missing by a whisker
Missing the bus
Muddying the water
Not having a crystal ball

I also check whether I used a passive voice. If I did, then I change the sentence into an active one.

Example:

Passive: My first visit to Miagao will always be remembered by me.
Active: I shall always remember my first visit to Miagao.

Many poets have been using poetic devices like metaphor, simile, irony, and other poetic devices. These devices really create great impression to the readers.

What is metaphor?

A metaphor is a statement that pretends one thing is really something else:

The lead singer is an elusive salamander.
He is an alephant.

What is a simile? It is a statement where you say one object is similar to another object. It uses "like" or "as"

He was curious as a caterpillar.
He was curious, like a caterpillar.

What is irony? Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meanings. It is also a literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effects.

Here is a good example of irony.

BAKIT SI XELA AY NAGDIGHAY PAGKATAPOS MAG-INOM NG COKE?
Ni Alex de Juan

Kanila lang
Puno ng pawis ang tansan
na nagyakap sa bibig ng Coke.
Naghalakhak ang tansan
na gin-aywanan ang bibig ng Coke.
Nagtambad ang kalawang
sa ilalim ng bibig ng Coke.
Gin-inom ni Xela ang Coke.
Si Xela ay nagdighay
pagkatapos mag-inom ng Coke
dahil gusto ng tansan na maulit
ang tunog ng kanyang halaklak
sa paglaho
ng kalawang
sa ilalim ng bibig ng Coke.

Another thing which I check in my poem is the injection of moral lesson. This device has been used in many of the traditional poems. I was once a judge in Hiligaynon poetry contest, and I noticed this mistake in many of the entries. So avoid this, let us leave that giving of moral lesson to the preachers. Our business as a poet is to present what we see, hear, feel, smell, imagine, and dream of. And if possible, inject a little opinion and leave the rest to the readers.

Another technique in creating great poem is by subverting the ordinary: Subverting is turning upside down. Here is a good example:

While riding a bus, he sees a grandma and thinks of a grandma who runs a marathon.

Using rhyme and rhythm is an effective way of conveying our feelings, but we must be very careful with them. For one, if we will stick to rhyme and rhythm, most of our ideas will be trimmed because we have to suit our words with them. This is the main reason why modern poets use free verse.

Here is a poem with rhyme:

Nag-agto si Sean Marie sa Makati

Nag-agto si Sean Marie sa Makati,
Nakakita imaw it Ati;
Ginpasakay nana sa kotse,
Ag gintaw-an pa't kapote.
****Melchor F. Cichon

Pumunta si Sean Marie sa Makati,
Nakakita siya ng Ati;
Pinasakay niya sa kotse,
Binigyan pa niya ng kapote.
*****Salin ni Melchor F. Cichon

Here is an example of a poem in free verse:

Ripe Bananas

summer--
ripe bananas
in our mortgaged land
******Melchor F. Cichon

Using words thy, thyself, and other words common in the 16th century should be avoided, unless of course you want to be associated with William Shakespeare.

Great poems have conflicts, just like in a short story. There must be two opposing forces in the poem.

Let us take this poem:

Ang Matandang Ito
Rio Alma

Hukot
Dahil mabigat ang liwanag.
Mauban
Dahil pinakupas ng liwanag.
Makulubot
Dahil niluto ng liwanag.
Tahimik
Dahil tigib ang bibig ng liwanag.

Here is another one:

Sa Bangketa
Ni Rio Alma

Kalansing ng barya
Sa basyong lata.
Simula ba ito ng kasaysayan
Hinggil sa walang katapusang pag-asa?
O pangwakas na himala?

There are some more tips that I can offer.

Some writers are afraid to show their works to other people. That is Ok because they say they write for themselves.

But great poets think otherwise. They show their works to their fellow poets—for comments.

All great poets have written hundred or even thousand of bad poems—poems that use cliches, faulty grammar, etc. But out of these writings, come a great one. And that matters most.

All great poets have received rejections slips. I have my share.

Rejection slips have many reasons. Our works might not be suited to the editorial policy of the magazine or journals. It could also mean that our works still need revision.

But rejection slips should be appreciated—they are energy for us to cross bridges to attain greater works.

Do you know that two other publishers had turned down the first manuscript of Harry Potter. But now every publisher wants to be the publisher of this series.

There are times when you cannot produce a line for your poem. Do not worry. Ideas come like seasons: rainy season and dry season. And when rainy season comes, try as much as possible to capture in paper those bountiful ideas. And when the dry season comes, just relax. Walk around. Smell the flowers. See a movie. Listen to your favorite radio stations. Read a novel. Or just lie down. And in your relaxation, you will be surprised that you have a new line to work on.

The second to the last tip I can offer is this:

Give a surprise ending:

Here are examples from a luwa:

Sa ibabaw sang lamesa
May tiki nga nagadupa
Ginpudyot ni Lola
Abi niya ya maskada.--Anon.

@@

Sa tanan nga bata ni Nanay
Ako ang labing ma-isog
Kulas-kulas sa dapog
Una ako nanaog.--Anon.

@@@

May manok akong bukay,
Ginbueang ko sa Ibajay;
Nagdaug pero patay.
Ginsumsuman ni Nanay.--Melchor F. Cichon

The last tip is: Revise, revise and revise your work until you are satisfied.

What makes a great poem?

If your poems are free of grammatical lapses, and they use some poetic techniques mentioned above and can create layers of interpretations, then you have succeeded in your writing.

Also great poems have:

"A determined Meter: Meter in poetry can be defined as rhythm or beat. The rhythm of the poem sets the reader up for the pace and flow of the poem. How fast or slow will the poem move along its path to the "surprise" awaiting us.

"Colorful Imagery: Poetry without colorful imagery might as well be prose. It's the imagery that releases the reader from their mundane, everyday experience and leads them on the journey you have prepared for them.

"Universality: The more universal the theme and topic of the poem, the more each individual reader can identify with the poem. You can express individual hurt (or joy), for example, but the reader must be able to see it as his or her hurt (or joy) as well."

Let us take these very short poems:

Old pond
A frog jumps in
A sound of water
—Basho

winter wind —
a cradlesong sung
in an ancient tongue
— Billie Wilson

A LETTER
By Melchor F. Cichon

John,
I will definitely go home
To our house
Where we can see the clouds
Through the roof.
I'm fed up
With the twinkling neon lights,
But I have not yet paid
For the earrings that I got
From Mama San.
I need them so my tinkling
Will be louder and my hips
Will be heavier.
Don't worry, John,
This Christmas
You and I will create a moon
And through the roof
We two alone
Will grasp its light.
Ana

What images can you think of? What conclusions can you give?
On the higher level, what does the poem evoke?

Uyab sang Tanan

2008-02-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

ni

Elenor Nieles

Sa gab-i nga walay tuhay,
Sa higad baybay ako gapahuway.
Salamat sa bulan nga manayaay.
Nakita ko si Inday naglabay.
Siya akon ginpaypay,
Agud tani mag-isturyahanay.
Waay ako ginsapak ni Inday?!
Ngaa man ay?
Akon siya ginpalapitan,
Agud tani maathagan.
Sang sa malapit na...
Akon nabatian, pangalan ni Dan-dan!
-Ang gwapo nga uyab sang tanan.
Si Inday gahilibion duman...
Sa pila ka tikang,
Siya akon napalapitan.
"Inday, Ngaa man?"
Pamalangkutanon ko sa akon abyan.
Luha iya ginpahiran.
"Ako may naluyagan...
Imo mana nahibaluan."
Sa dayon siya akon nahangpan.
"Ngaa si Dan-dan pa man?"

Final Kiss

2008-02-23T23:03:00.000-08:00

You let me kiss you every now and then

Yet you always wipe your lips in the end

If you only knew how it hurts me

I want to complain yet I can’t

I have long wished to touch your face

Yet that’s beyond my limits

I have long wanted to caress your hair

Yet I can’t even hold your hand

And now I see that you’ve found another one

His taller and good looking than me

How painful it is to see him there

Looking at you, expecting your kiss

You will no longer remember me

And how I touched your tender lips,

Before I bid goodbye, I beg you

Let me kiss you one last time

-Lipstick-

Curfew Poetry Anthology

2008-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

Axel Pinpin Dilemma ni Carpio

Francisco Arias Monteseña Kuyom

Genevieve Mae B. Aquino Alzheimer's in the Philippines

German V. Gervacio Hu Let Da Dogs Awt?! Hu-Hu-Huhu!

Gracia Alcantara Perdiguerra Fugue
Mark Angeles Fury Tales

Marlon Hacla Isang Pagtutol

Melvin Medes Mga Taong Apoy

Michelle Brences Policurfew

Noel Sales Barcelona Bakit Gloring?

Raul Funilas May Kaba Sa Bawat Hakbang Ng Manghihimagsik

Ravelth Castro-Belicena Mundong Parisukat

Rodelen Paccial Emerald

Rustum Casia One Night Only

Victor Emmanuel Carmelo D. Nadera Jr. Anibersaryo Ngayon ng Martial Law

http://makoydakuyko y.multiply. com/journal/ item/35/Curfew_ Poetry_Anthology

Humihigpit na Humihigpit

2008-02-05T04:25:00.000-08:00

ni

Melchor F. Cichon
February 5, 2008

Humihigpit na humihigpit
Ang silo sa leeg
Ni Mang Pandoy.

Pero sige pa rin
Ang pagsusumbat ni Manoy
Sa humihinang Mang Pandoy.

Imbes na tutulungan raw siya
Sa pagluluwag ng silo
Sa leeg ni Mang Pandoy
Tuloy-tuloy pa rin daw
Ang pagsisigaw ng mga kalaban niya
Sa Edsa, sa Mendiola:
Tama na! Sobra na!
Layas na! Now na!

Humihigpit na humihigpit
Ang silo sa leeg
Ni Mang Pandoy.

Ngunit naroon si Manoy
Sa Australia, sa Amerika
Humahalakhak
Kasama ang mga pinunong
Busog ang kanilang bulsa
Ang kanilang tiyan,
Ang kanilang kaluluwa.

Ngunit raroon siya
Sa lugar kung saan ang kanilang mithiin
Ay sa dulo lang ng kanilang daliri.

Batid niya kaya
Na sa bawat tulo ng kanyang pluma
Sa pagpipirma ng kuntrata
Ay pumipilipit sa leeg
Ng mga kababayan niya?

Paano ba mananalo
Ang bahaw-bahaw sa hamtik?
Papaano ba mananalo
Si Manny Pacquiao kay Andre the Giant?

Lalong humihigpit ang silo sa leeg
Ni Mang Pandoy.
Gaalipugsa, gawaeas,
Sumisigaw sa paos niyang boses:

Saan ang ulam at kanin
Sa bawat hapag namin?
Saan ang pirasong lupa
Na pinangako ninyo
Bago pa man bumulagta
Ang mga kasamahan namin sa Mendiola?
Bakit ginapos ang mga kamay
Ng mga peryodista
At itinulak sa loob ng bus
Patungong silda?

Oh, Trillanes, kailan ka lalaya?
Buhay pa ba si Kumander Pusa?
Tumutubo pa ba ang balbas ni Waling-Waling?
Nilunok na ba sila ng sigbin?

Ito ba ang aming biyaya
O pasalubong sa mga paglalakbay niya?

Humihigpit na humihigpit
Ang silo sa leeg ni Mang Pandoy.

Inay…Inay…Inay...nasaan ka?

2008-02-04T23:53:00.000-08:00

Verseculo Senti UP Poet Society presents
"PABATYAG"
One day poetry workshop (In celebration of the arts month)
Free registration and Free snacks.
February 23, 2oo8
UPV-CM Library Main Lobby.

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for." Dead Poet's Society

Interested participants should submit 2 to 3 poems on or before february 22, 2008 to Christian-09283004717 or Junv-09194236135. The lecturer of the workshop is Prof. Zenaida Bernabe-French.

Beyond My Grasps

2008-02-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

As I walk into the room, my heart was beating so fast..
My eyes were searching for someone I do not know..
My mind was saying something I could not hear..
Then suddenly, my trembling feet led me to her..

She was a familiar stranger, it’s odd to say..
Her smile captured me in every single way..
Then I talked to her with words I can’t remember..
Looking at her eyes, seemed like I’d be frozen forever..

A flash caught my attention…
A friend took a picture of me together with the girl..
People clapped and cheered..
The next thing I knew was I walked away from her..

Seemed like I’m out of my mind..
I left the room barely knowing her name.
.And now, she’s far away.. so far away..
Will I ever see her again?

Then I realized, I already met her.
.She was in my dream, the girl smiling in my dream..
Destiny did its job, gave me a chance to meet her..
But I ruined the opportunity, I barely know her name..

I’m hoping that I will be given another chance..
That destiny will give me another oppurtunity..
To meet her again and see her smile..
The girl in my dream..

Sad to say, the chance given by destiny is now beyond my grasps..
And all I have is a picture of me and her smiling together..
A picture that would remind me of her forever..

Steadfast

2008-02-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

by Alex Biboso

A clear stream
Traversing on a rocky and curve path
Steadily it flows through its main course
Not harming any living things
That get nourishment along its way
But rather providing them life

Large and small bodies of water
Current, a strong or weak one
Limpid or muddy
Coming from different origins
Connecting with the main stream
Still, it steadfastly flows
To its main destination--the sea

* This poem was delivered to me by Alex, a graduate of UPV.
He told me this is his first attempt in poetry writing.
What can you say about his work?

Looking at pictures of our internship year

2008-02-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Looking at pictures of our internship year
(For my Med School Buddies)
Rodelen Paccial

When we were much younger,
And we had much more oil in our faces,
And we were trying to be doctors at the same time,
When we couldn’t sleep
And envy the janitor’s roosters
When we slept and regretted,
When we were half asleep
And couldn’t put in an intravenous catheter,
When we were exposed to the myriad variations
Of vulvae and penises,
Of appendices and breasts,
When we drank and got merry
And blame ourselves the next day,
When we couldn’t eat
when we didn’t have time to eat
when we were faced with the choice
of sleeping or eating,
when we had to wear the same
briefs and panties for more
than twenty four hours
(i know because I looked)
When dreams were fresh
When dreams of becoming
Greater than ourselves
For the sake of others
Were a mantra
Silently repeated in the deep
Silence of our brains,
Because all we did was curse,
On how so much sickness
Can be in this world
And land in your OPD table.

That was the time we fell in love with this occupation and preoccupation,
For like a woman we had to fetch water for and chop wood for,
Medicine was coy and lovely,
Promised everything,
But not now, she said.
“Everything”, she said,
And the wooing was just fine,
Outside her gates,
We chose to stand
And labor while she waits.

Happy New Year To All

2008-01-01T02:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all members of Sustansya.
May this new year inspire us to write more literary works.

Cool!

2007-11-04T21:44:00.001-08:00

What Kind of Cool Are You?

My Result: Calm, Cool, and Collected

Do your friends like to lean on your shoulder? Ask you for advice in life and love? Put you on speed-dial for emergencies? We bet they do. You're as balanced as they come. When it comes to making decisions, you're not afraid to take the time to weigh your options carefully in order to make the right choice. And it takes more than a few obstacles to rattle your cool head.

The good news is that you've also got lots of heart, and you make sure that people know that you always have their backs. There's almost nothing more important to you than the people in your life, so being a support to them is the coolest thing around. Just like you.

Take this test >

Salin ng "Mushroom" ni Sylvia Plath

2007-10-22T04:26:00.000-07:00

Kabu-Kabute
Sylvia Plath

Magdamagan, napaka-
Puti, hindi pansinin.
Napaka-mapangdili.

Tintinan, ilong nami'y
Kumakapit sa lupa.
Umaangkin sa hangin.

Walang sasaksi sa'min,
Pipigil o tataksil;
Bubutil, nagsi-usog.

Kuom-palad pilit ay
Bumatak ng karayom,
Ng madahong higaan,

Pati na ng aspalto.
Martilyo, maso namin,
'Alang tenga ni mata,

Puspusang walang tinig,
Mga biyak bubuksan,
Butas, suongin. Kami'y

Nagt�t�sa ng tubig,
Ng mumo ng anino.
Mahinahon, hiling ay

Kakarampot o wala.
Napakarami namin!
Napakarami namin!

Kami'y tokador, kami'y
Lamesa, kami'y dukmo
Kami ay makakain.

Mang-udyok, mang-tulak,
Maski na ano kami,
Kami ay dumarami.

'Pag umaga na, aming
Mamanahin ang mundo.
Paa nami'y sa bungad.

salin ni Lawrence Anthony Bernabe

tala: ito ay ipinadala sa akin ni Lawrence sa e-mail, nais ko itong i-share sa inyo para sabihing may angking kagandahan din ang pagsasalin.

imbitasyon sa nagsusulat ng dula

2007-10-22T04:11:00.001-07:00

Ang UPV-SWF Klinik BatMan Tres ay naka-iskedyul na gaganapin sa ikatlong miyerkules ng buwan ng Nobyembre. Kung mayroon kayong dulang iisahing yugto (1 act play) maaari lamang na ipadala ito sa upvswf@yahoo.com. Ang magiging resource person sa nasabing klinik ay si Alfredo B. Diaz, titser sa UPHi at Humanities at kasalukuyang tinatapos ang doktoral sa Malikhaing Pagsulat sa UP Diliman. Pakiimbita na rin ang iba ninyong mga kakilala. Inaasahan kong makita kayo sa ikatlong Klinik BatMan.

Ang Direktor ng Klinik-Batman
Kalibo, Aklan
22 ng Oktubre 2007

Poetry Night!!!

2007-10-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Guys,

if you're interested, Marcel Milliam, poet, and one of the facilitators in Klinik Batman, will have a concert/poetry night at Spotlight @ 28 avenue on October 20, 2007, 9 pm. There will be a poetry reading session after that and this is showtime for your poems/babies.

But before that, if you're interested in becoming a member of Dagyangpulong, a writers organization in the City, proceed to Times Square in front of USA at 4 pm of OCtober 20 for we shall be having a meeting there. Do not be shy, we are a friendly bunch and we will be a band of writers who will offer you fair criticism for your works in exchange for your views on other people's work. That is besides the usual takes on the current Philippine/Western Visayas Literature scene, our experiences on the writing Life, casual company on boring afternoons meant for coffee, poetry and good buddies. After the meeting we will proceed to the concert/poetry reading. If you have any questions feel free to email me at rcpaccial (at) yahoo.com or text 09214039370. Hope you could join us!!!

Rod Paccial. :)

Real Beauty

2007-10-14T03:49:00.001-07:00

What Makes You Luminous?

My Result: Beauty

Sure you're a stunner, but it's your kind heart that makes you a real beauty. Thoughtful and sincere, you connect easily with people and enjoy being around others. At parties, you like to work the room and make sure everyone is having a good time.

Strike up conversations with strangers? No problem. Show your new coworker great lunch spots? Of course! These are the kinds of things a sweetheart like you does without thinking. And your friendly spirit is what people find so enticing and gorgeous about you. That's beautiful!

Take this test >

invitation. .

2007-09-26T03:28:00.000-07:00

Official website of Verseculo Senti UP Poet Society is under construction (www.verseculosenti.org). In the mean time, anyone can email their literary contributions at verseculosenti@yahoo.com. Thanks! We'll be glad to have it published in our official literary folio.

Kawawang Hayop

2007-09-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

Tumalon talaga ako sa tuwa
nang siya'y aking nakita
Pero tumagaktak ang pawis ko
Dahil madulas ang isang ito.

Natapos mahuli
Agad ko siyang siyang hinugasan
At inilagay sa garapon
Para ihanda bukas ng hapon.

Oras na ng katapusan
Siya'y akin nang babalatan
Ngayon siya'y nasa laboratoryo,
Pagkat siya'y dinaysek ko na.

- Ma. Marivic Pepino

Untitled

2007-09-16T04:57:00.000-07:00

The sunlight passes through the glass windows
Touching the smooth wooden floor
The grand piano sings its tune
Filling the room with the sound of a nightingale

A door creaks open as slow as a snail
The music continues on unwavering in its melody
A young lady enters with footsteps steady as a clock
As she listens, her body begins to sway

With this peace
She is finally home.

- Afnan

Mabuhok na Kanto

2007-09-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

Sa isang kanto, isang matanda'y iika-ikang naglalakad
Nakangisi, sinusuklay ang makintab na buhok
Handang-handa nang umalis, dali-daling pumara ng jeep
Sa kanyang pagsakay, buhok ay nawala,
ang hangin ang tumangay.

Sa kanto ring iyon, isang ale ang aking namataan
Bihis na bihis, may akay na paslit
Handang-handa nang umalis, dali-daling pumara ng jeep
Sa kanyang pagwagayway, hindi namalayan,
buhok sa kanyang kilikili'y kumakaway.

Sa isang kanto, ako'y nakadukong naglalakad
Isang jeep biglang huminto, isang dilag ang bumaba.
Sa pagkamangha sa kanyang kagandahan,
siya'y aking nabangga
Ako'y humingi ng paumanhin,
ngunit ako'y hindi pinansin.

Sa kanto ring iyon kinabukasan ako'y bumalik
Paghinto ng jeep, ang binibini'y aking muling nakita
Sa pagbaba niya, panyo ay kanyang nabitawan
Sa kanyang dahan-dahang pagdampit, ako'y kinilabutan...
Mabuhok niyang dibdib aking nasilayan!

- Mystery

Priority

2007-09-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

Sa pag-uyat kang bolpen,
Yu are hidden
Kay ginlumos mo ang kaugalingon
Sa imo gahikahos nga emosyon.

Hindi kita maintsindihan,
Because samtang ginapasulat
Ikaw timo sagi paiprat
Sa imong Accounting aklat
Kay sum-an daw ti alas-otso
May malaba nga theory exam kamo?

Feel mo, ikaw kasagad kaayo
Kay napalibug mo ang hinu-hino
kang wide readers mo.
But the truth is,
Sila lang gali ang gintando-tando mo.

Go home kag magpahuway
Ikaw nga sa printed paper gamhanan,
Kay ang matuod nga poetry
Hindi teri-testingan
Kang imong kaumangan.

Untati ang hinampang,
Sipal sa silid-aralan.

- Junnie Vee D. Hongco

Tula

2007-09-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

Ang tula ay isang pagsasalaysay,
Mayroong simula, mayroong katapusan,
Mga pangyayari sa ating buhay,
Mga aral na hindi makakalimutan.

Sa pagsulat ng tula puso’y kailangan,
Kailangang mahalin ang galit,
Diligin ang luha ng kasiyahan,
At yakapin ang takot sa dibdib.

Sa pagsulat ng tula dapat may pinag-uusapan,
Mga bagay-bagay o di kaya’y karanasan,
Hagilapin sa paligid o sa panaginip man,
At hayaang mga salita ang magbigay-laman.

Tunggalian ay huwag kalilimutan,
Buuin ang buhay ng buti at sama,
Sa liwanag at dilim ilagay ang tauhan,
Kabigua’t tagumpay hayaang kusa.

Makata’y hindi nabubuhay nang mag-isa,
Sa pagtulog at paggising siya’y may kinakasama,
Ang dalamhati ng mamamaya’y sa dibdib niya,
Ang kanilang ginagawa sa isipa’y gumagala.

Nagsusulat ng tula ay iilan lamang,
Marahas na salita dulot ay kamatayan!
Hanapin ang kabuluha't kadakilaan
Sa pagsuyod sa mundo ng Katalinghagaan!.

Ngaa, Anak?

2007-09-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

Ni Dayan-Dayan

Nagangurob ako sa kaugot
Nga ang akon bata naganabdus
Katorse anyos pa lamang sya
Indi ako magpati sang naabtan ya.

Gusto ko sya kusion
Gusto ko sya basulon
Paano natabo nga nagdala sya
Wala man ako nagkulang
Sa pagtudlo sa iya

Ang bata ko naghilibion
Wala sya sing rason
Nga maihatag sa akon

Apang sa iya pagbata
Ako nagyuhum
Kay isa ka lalaki
Nga mabuti kag mabaskog

Indi ko sya pagpabay-an
Kay sya amon kalipayan
Sa amon puloy-an

Introduction

2007-08-29T04:05:00.000-07:00

This blog was created right after the First Klinik-Batman: Lunsaran ng mga Batang Manunulat held at the Mini-Conference Room ng UPV-SWF, University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Iloilo City on August 29, 2007. Eleven young writers and four panelists participated in the workshop.

Four of the participants were: Afnan Omar Al-Abdalla, Sarby Kay Declaro, Ma. Marivic Pepino, Hazel Renacido, and Elsa Surmieda. The rest of the poets and that of the panelists will be posted here as soon as their names are available.

The main objective of this blog is to encourage the Pioneering Eleven Poets to continue writing poems and have their works published here so the panelists will comment on them.

The other objective is for the Pioneering Eleven Poets and the Panelists to continue their bonding.

Why Sustansya?

Sustansya means substance, one of the basic ingredients of an immortal poem.

This blog, being a virtual poetry writing workshop, hopes to extract and produce poems that will be remembered through the years.