Tanglaw -- Light

Sometimes, I cannot help but sigh
and wonder--
wonder deep inside of me 
whether I could ever be like you.

I riffle through the pages of my soul
and find a lot of them empty
Unlike yours, which seem to be bursting, blinding,
bursting, and still continuing to burst with brilliance...

So much so, 
that your soul's light
has spread far and wide,
very much like sunlight's fingers
opening the morning sky curtains,
touching and warming
those who need it.

Tanglaw 
Each step that you take,
each breath that you exhale,
each prayer that you whisper,
each beat of your heart
Tanglaw

I receive a smile,
and chat
with that man
who you've helped change...
Because of you,
the silent man now speaks, smiles.

You sit down to rest,
I see you talking to someone,
and I am almost fooled,
since you seem like old friends.
Because of you,
the lonely strangers become kindred.

It mystifies me sometimes,
of how you never seem to get tired.
It seems like I am the one who gets tired for you,
who gets worried for your own strength...
Then I see that glow from all around, 
and I am reminded how you glean from this glow.

I see you as this beautiful ball of energy--
Never static,
bouncing from soul to soul,
illuminating parts of themselves
that even they never knew existed.

It is so amazing seeing this at work,
since the next thing I know,
the place is lit up,
Alive. 
...and it is all because of you.

It makes me feel unworthy at times,
but oh how it also makes me feel so proud,
that I am a part of you,
and you are a part of me.

I have a lot of catching up to do,
since it seems I am lightyears from where you are

But I will try.
I will catch the tail end of your light,
clutch to it with my life, winding it around me,
let it embrace me--tight, so tight.
And I will never let it go. Never.
Until I also begin to glow.
Until I too, become that ball of light.

Hopefully when someone
riffles through the pages of my soul,
they will not find it blank,
but filled with gilt pages of light.

Just like yours.
Bursting and brilliant just like yours.




Tanglaw is pronounced "tang-lao"

Where I live, mothers are said to be the "light of the home"...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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12
Eastman Avatar
September 16, 2012 at 9:42 AM
Congratulations on your win. Awesome write.
A   Avatar
September 15, 2012 at 10:57 PM
Nikko,, Congratulations in Debbie's " Let's Get Serious " awesome contest. ~ :-) always a pleasure in reading all winners when I get the chance. super xox's from~ PD
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 13, 2012 at 3:46 AM
Dear Nikko, I am reading through my tears at the beauty of a soul who can write with such passion and love to have created this Masterpiece honoring your mother. What a wonderful woman she must be to have raised a blessed daughter as you are. I hope you put this as your first entry in a poetry book you are destined to write one day, and I hope your mother is still with you to know how important she is to you.
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 13, 2012 at 3:45 AM
Cont'd. Your talent is like a shooting star that sprinkles star dust over all of us, inspiring us to want to write like you. Much Love and Blessings and Congratulations on your truly deserving First place win.
Song Avatar
September 12, 2012 at 7:28 AM
I had to reread this one this morning, Niks...It brings tears to my eyes that u have such an emotional attachment with your mother. She is a survivor and a warrior with all that she has been thru over the past year or so..It makes me well up with emotion that God blessed my friend with a mother so dear...Tell her your friend says hello...I doubt very much that u could stand at her side and read this with a dry eye...I could read it to her for you though...all my best to u, gwendolen
Song Avatar
September 12, 2012 at 7:29 AM
loved syd"s remarks below...
Aldea Avatar
September 11, 2012 at 10:28 PM
a brilliant write Nikko, big congrats! cheryl...
Onclaud Avatar
September 11, 2012 at 1:22 AM
love the way you used our tanglaw to express your warm motherly thoughts, nikks...so good to see you again.... sobrang busy ba?.. big congats with hugggs!
Dietrich Avatar
September 10, 2012 at 8:45 PM
wowowowow. If I did not say it before, BIG congrats on this well deserved win.
Croft Avatar
September 10, 2012 at 11:18 AM
congratulations Nikko
Patrikar Avatar
September 10, 2012 at 9:24 AM
congrats! super duper poem
Brown Avatar
September 10, 2012 at 6:25 AM
Congratulations on your super win in this contest "Let's Get Serious" Nikko. Love, Carol
Richards Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Oh wow, Nikkko........superb!! I have missed so much poetry on the Soup...have been taking a long break this summer, and when I decided to check in today to find this poem.......I was sooo glad to see it was yours!! (I'm so sorry I haven't been in touch much...but I won't forget you...I promise!) You are still one of my favorites...and a talented poet!! Hooray for you!
Arowolo Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Fantastic!Wonderful piece,Nikko.Congratulations on your superb win...
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 8:45 AM
Wow hi nikko big congratulations for your fantastic win, still missing you here xx
Liwayway Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 8:04 AM
excellent write!! and congratulations on your big win!! Mabuhay!!
Tsiluma Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 6:20 AM
Amazing write Nikko! Congrats on your win!
Ramage Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Very nice poem, so different and haunting almost. Congratulations on your first place win. Lee
Hendricks Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 7:37 PM
Well done on your top placement in Debbie's contest. A gripping write. :)
Johnson Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 5:27 PM
Written for your mother? How proud she must be to read it. Congratulations on your well deserved win. Love, Joyce
Song Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 4:26 PM
Now this is something to smile about! Congrats dear Nikko...amazing emotional write....gwendolen
Beck Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 3:08 PM
nikko ----wow.... you've knocked it out of the court here! it's a piece I could never parallel -- the style is a wonderful mixture of language and expression which oozes emotion and deep desire to be close in to the other ...to be "one" .....it reminds me of the Tao and its mysterious gentle discipline....excellent poem my friend....best wishes
Guzzi Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Marvelous write..rich in heart, language & with the bounty of your own special culture present. I could not chose between you two..I hope you love Syd's write too. Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Puddifoot Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 1:35 PM
dear nikko, I'm so pleased to see you topping the chart with this great poem, you are such a talented free verser! so many beautiful lines in this, especially "sunlight's fingers opening the morning sky curtains" and "gilt pages of light", just sublime wording; I love this unique, slightly quirky, writing style that you have :-)
Horsman Avatar
September 2, 2012 at 3:26 PM
noting your comment at the bottom of this awesome poem, Well Nikko a light went out for some of us, missing you heaps.when you disappeared.
Macmillan Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Oh, how did I miss your reply?? Sorry, doll, my dang cold ressurected itself, and I am not myself. Exhausted and moody, coughing and fever. Thanks for returning the hug and I've spotted you here and there today. Glad you dropped by and hope you find it hard to leave... hugs, again, Cyndi
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