Ilaw

The light is muted,
glowing ever so faintly
and I cup my hands
to shelter it from
the harsh wind...

It flickers,
it wavers,
and my heart
does a triple dive
then beats back to normal
as I see that flame
fight, become steady,
and stand up against that wind.

I've seen this happen before,
but it always tries to shine forth
with a ferocity
that can only be fueled 
by love and faith...

A different gust,
another typhoon,
yet still it tries to beam...

This light amazes me 
with its tenacity.
I go through life with
only a mere spark of it
in my heart
But how proud I am
to have been borne from it,
to have it with me, 
burning in my soul.

This light is awe-inspiring...
with just a kiss from it
and warmth abounds,
never burning out,
rather, sharing that glow
to brighten lives.

I fear though, 
for the light is muted,
glowing ever so faintly
and I cup my hands
to shelter it from
the harsh wind...

Taking deep breaths,
we search for ways
to make that flame 
glow strong again,
burning as bright as before

A strike of a match
for a candle,
with its smoke weaving 
its way to heaven,
to say a prayer
for that light
to keep on glowing

The wick may be short,
the wax melting faster
than we would want it to...
But the light is still there,
and that gives me hope.






12272011238p322

Ilaw --pronounced 'ee-lao' as in 'how'; meaning "light"

"Ilaw ng tahanan" is a Filipino idiomatic expression
that refers to mothers; 
This phrase can translate to "light of the home"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Liwayway Avatar
August 3, 2012 at 10:30 AM
wow!! excellent writer!! Congratulations!!! **Maria**
Dietrich Avatar
January 28, 2012 at 8:24 PM
NIkko, I came to reread this beauty while waiting for a new post from you!! The contests have not been so many lately, so I have LOTS of oldies I can start posting, like the etheree I just put up. I will just go rest soon. Would like to try Dr. Suess contest. HOpe I can get inspired. Luv, Andrea
Devnath  Avatar
December 28, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Congratulation my friend on your win. Enjoyed your nice writing. bl
Brown Avatar
December 28, 2011 at 5:13 AM
Congratulations Nikko. Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 7:57 PM
what an interesting title you explained at the bottom for us. Nikko, you do SHINE. I've always said it and here you explain WHY so well. A fave for this one. This is when you write at your best! Congratulations. LUv, Andrea
Johnson Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 5:40 PM
Thnks for the definition. Congraulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Guzzi Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 3:35 PM
What I liked about this is it spoke of God and faith in a different way..your own way..YOU have a unique voice which I always enjoy Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Aboobacker Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 4:22 AM
Loved this poem.
K. Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Thank you Anula, happy you loved it :D
Poet Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 1:37 AM
Ohhh...WOW....this is a breathtaking poem nikko A Fav...Best wishes.
K. Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 11:25 AM
thanks so much for the fave, Kash :)!
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