Best Manila Poems
This sunset of peach crowns the bay, aglow
While Manila lies in tropical bliss
This region bustling with tunes as nights flow
Along street cafes where friends reminisce.
The jam of guitars floods a moonlit trail
Dizzy where tangy hyacinths delight…
Folks prancing on rhumba beats to unveil
My city agleam... near a harbor bright.
Modern yet quaint, this scene is my life’s art
Afloat like an isle of eclectic flair,
Robed in temples,parks of inner child’s heart
For this dwelling charms with beauty to share.
In my abode of pearled Oriental grains,
Manila pulsates in festive refrains.
Where Are You From Contest
Sponsor: Joseph Soper
* Manila ( Philippines)
Walking on the street,
stretching out both my arms
to catch the breeze
looking silly,
but I don't mind...
'silly' could very well be my middle name...
Closing my eyes as the
sun was dipping goodbye
just for a quick bit though,
(I reckon I'm not that silly),
since I wasn't walking on a sidewalk,
since there was none in that part...
wishing I was sitting instead,
or in that place
where I can swim
in that Manila Bay sunset,
immerse myself
stare,
drink that shimmering orange yolk
that bleeds light
watching it dip softly
into the languid waves,
rendering brilliance,
gilding everything
a golden inked cookie
from the milky sky
being dunked,
tickling my hungry eyes
ah,
the glorious,
soul-filling
Manila Bay sunset
--------------------------------
I continue my walk home
and I sigh,
I sleep at sunrise.
0528200913
I have a big feeling I will be writing a different version of this,
I was walking on that street, wishing I was watching the sunset
near Manila Bay
but yup, this was something that I wrote when I couldn't sleep
so wasn't able to fully grasp what I wanted to be conveyed,
it lacks something, I don't know, just Something.
Thank you for passing by.
Oh Manila, I lost my heart in thee
On a summer's eve of sunset red
I saw her under the coconut tree
My Violy, and wanted her to wed.
In Manila we stirred the ballroom dust
As we danced the loneliness away
Then gave into our mutual lust
As both of our defenses gave way!
Oh Manila, dire passions burn in thee
Whose women steal men's hearts in bed
I lost my first love to the Lady Violy
When she confessed she was already wed.
Timothy I. Brumley
My great, great, Uncle who fought in the
Spanish-American War, although this was
long before my time I was proud, my hero…
As told to me, he was in the Battle
of Manila, he lost his life on March 30, 1899
in this Battle…
Sending all the bodies of the heroes who
fell on the Manila battlefield were brought
to their respective homes…
The boy who gave his life for his
country in the Spanish and Philippine
Wars, arrived in Osceola Monday
at 10:45 a.m. for burial near his
family home…
War is a terrible thing, but freedom
Is not free and it is a must!
By Sandra Lea Hoban
©2012
Through the centuries, you have shed light on our lives,
with simplicity and humility you've shown.
An encouragement to all, a testimony of faith,
linked to the shared vision of the church of cultures.
Hat is off to you St Lorenzo Ruiz;
with your strong faith in God,
with demonstrated love for Him,
a message of the gospel, a covenant you fulfilled.
In a rapidly changing world,
still your words are poignant and stirring.
called upon to die in defense of your faith commitment,
a sacrifice, a noble and heroic act,
that identifies his martyrdom.
The strength of soul manifests
through your faith and love for God.
Those joyful voices across the land,
add festivities to the human hearts.
What a noble and wonderful man you're!
a model of faith, hope and love.
Your experience of martyrdom gained honor in the Church,
even around the world, you're venerated and celebrated.
A Rondel
Three ladies sort the cherries red
in the strong light of high noon.
Stones need a knife before a spoon...
That's what Manila tongues have said,
or it could be that's what I've read
since I've been here, i.e. last June...
Three ladies sort the cherries red
in the strong light of high noon.
Siesta time, and so to bed...
Manila music, so Manila tune...
Siesta will not finish soon.
A place to be if you're not yet dead!
Three ladies sort the cherries red
in the strong light of high noon.
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7/20/2015
Contest - New or Old Poems
Sponsor - Eve Roper
3rd place win
Oh Manila, pearl of the Orient seas
A city of contrasts, with so much to please
From the old-world charm of Intramuros
To the vibrant energy of Bonifacio Global City, that never slows
Your streets, always buzzing with life
A melting pot of cultures, that thrives
From the jeepneys that roam around
To the street food that astounds
The Manila Bay sunset, a beauty to behold
A spectacular sight, that never grows old
The colors of the sky, a canvas of art
A breathtaking moment, that tugs at the heart
And let's not forget your history, so rich
From Rizal Park to Fort Santiago, a niche
A proud heritage, that lives on
A symbol of your strength, that shines upon
In the heart of your city, lies
A historic landmark, that never dies
Malacañang Palace, a symbol of power
A palace of presidents, that stands tall like a tower
Your people, so resilient and kind
A friendly smile, that always unwind
A spirit of Bayanihan, that never dies
A community of heroes, that always rise
Oh Manila, how you inspire
A city of dreams, that never tire
A place of endless possibilities, that never ends
Manila, with Malacañang Palace, you will always be our friend.
Tribute to Travel to Manila Philippines and Make This Poor Old Lady Happy...Documentary
Old wood in Manila ,Philippines
In a narrow alleyway
Old roof collapse
Converted into a wall
No doors
But window panels
An old, wooden ladder
For stairs
Grandma has fallen many a times
Climbing up to the second floor
To what is her house
Her husband and only child died
She’s survived ,75, still alive
Sell rice cakes to get by
Glutinous or dough-like white rice , Coconut meat, sugar, sesame seeds
Floating sweet rice cake or tongue-shaped
Topped with glazed toasted sesame seeds
Rice cake for sale
Rice cake for sale
Who wants to buy rice cake?
Who wants to buy rice cake?
Don’t know how to dance
So I just move
For a small donation
If I have the luck of chance
Her tears flowing with joy
Her heart pumping with gratitude
People abroad send her stuff
To keep her small business afloat
Donated cash, electric fan, pot and pan
Rice, New stove, dishes, glass-wear, utensils
She won’t have to borrow for a while
By mercy’s grace,
She’s doing just fine
Later comes a trip to the spa ,hair salon and shopping mall
She picks out her own blouses, shirts , dresses, headbands ,sandals and cell phone
A restaurant dinner concludes her visitors’ trip
All caught on camera
Marckincia Jean
Narrative
09/24/19
Manila folder,
Growing older,
Lying on table,
Watching other files,
Grow bolder,
It was earlier looked upon,
Now ignored,
As if it was dead,
After a bloody gore,
They had submerged in its custody,
A lot many papers and notes,
Carrying dates and events,
About people and of people,
Some body took a decision,
And others left them for future,
It needed for a full view,
Lot of sutures,
Perplexed and seeing its capacity,
They had simply affixed a label,
And left it at storage level,
Years went by in vain,
Lot others joined it in graveyard,
Not for short but pretty long,
Saying has it that every dog has its day,
It so happened that while the manila folder lay gathering dust,
One of the persons not decided upon with in the manila,
Had grown in stature and length,
Either through effort ,luck,relation or lust,
He had reached where he was,
He beckoned all signatures in the manila,
And sought his dues,
If it was not forthcoming,
Then he waved a thick stick,
All signatures rushed to look for manila,
They raised dust and dusted files for long,
Opportunist men got their way,
And having found manila,
Gave a full blooded bay,
As they chuckled in delight,
The 'big man' came around for another fight,
Now they were scared to no end,
And turned the pages of manila,
They frantically looked,
Where they had signed and not,
Where they did not they did,
And some places where they had,
Got it erased,
Manila was theirs,
So what if 'money' was his,
Finally manila was in demand,
And used and gored,
Like a happy whore,
Manila looked askance,
At the door to graveyard,
Where it had spent years in exile,
Before getting this 'exciting while',
Then to top it all,
The Manila had its final big ball,
The day came,
When the big man came to undo his last fall,
He held the Manila lovingly in his palms,
Which were wet and warm,
In anticipation of lot of money caused calm,
His greedy and beady eyes,
Warmed each curve of manila,
As manila coyly smiled unabashedly smiles vanilla,
The swarthy and mean big man,
Saw his words,
Understood them well,
Kept them digested in mind,
Looked disdainfully,
At frightened signatures,
And voila! Tossed the manila folder,
From where he stood,
Back in graveyard to grow older.
It all tastes like
Brown manila and
Rusty tools
Fading hums, planes escape into
Lily pad clouds
Shrinking yellow rays stroll
Across dusty floors
Arthritic Autumn smoke
Sweet in
Forgotten drawers opened
Far away
Put away in
Brown manila envelopes
In Andres City where my feet grew up
Old street lamps draped nights gently flicking,
I trace childhood with pangs of reminiscences
Where shadow games turned into flamed delight:
Strange, guava trees now ripped by huge skylines--
And Manila founts with blooming shrubs...gone?
I recall pastimes deigned for carousal
Mimicking summers of Roxas Bay's glow.
Etching the ancient plaza of teenage bliss
My shoes roam, this scene now a memory;
Trimmed with fiestas-- folk dances I rerun,
Embracing the girl and young adult in me.
I look and absorb, for the moon will blush
Never exactly as it hangs fair tonight...
And though my heart sinks, it will not forget
Each moment which lives within--ever graced!
9th Peace Premiere
Sunset in Manila Bay
is like a knocked over palette,
soft reddish night pollution
stains the sea
surface waves
are too romantic
over dolomite sands.
Oh the milkshakes in Manila are a wonderful treat
A pretty Filipina is a party complete
The strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry cream
Are second to vanilla in a dewberry dream
Now the seashore in Manila is a beautiful place
The lingering vanilla is a dab on your face
You order second helpings for a lovable flirt
Because she loves vanilla when you offer dessert
Oh the milkshakes in Manila hit a wonderful spot
I always like vanilla when the climate is hot
The girlfriends are friendly when you offer a cone
But don’t you mind the trouble when they get you alone
Now the sailors in Manila are a snaggletooth sort
They favor their vanilla in a haggle-free port
They like to catch the ladies in a lovable swoon
Or marry some vanilla to a strawberry spoon
Oh the milkshakes in Manila are a creamy delight
I like to drink a couple when the weather is right
The tidal waves are winking by the soles of my feet
To drink the star’s vanilla in a milky way teat.
The sun down and rest
Before my eyes, while sitting
On the bench, watching
This big yellow-orb;
Shines upon Manila cove.
Foliage behind us,
Swinging with the gentle breeze;
Even Glenda’s hair,
Who sits, beside me, beneath
The trees and among lovers.
The orange sunset
Now sets in Manila Bay
I see it full view.