Best Southeast Poems
Iberia, you took my breath away
with fiery gypsy spirit and romance;
with ancient Moorish history and grace;
with everything there is of you to see;
to hear and smell; to feel inside my soul.
Diversity lives splendidly in you!
The ancient cultures beckoned me to you
when, like the Romans, lured from far away,
I came to you and gave to you my soul,
partaking of your passion and romance.
I’d read of you in school and had to see!
How glad I was to come and know your grace.
A mosque in Cordoba reveals your grace,
but I would learn there is much more of you. . .
Cathedrals dressed in gold I was to see.
From palace walls, in awe I’d walk away
to find nearby - in gypsy caves - romance
in music. . . as Flamenco filled my soul!
With passion’s beat resounding in my soul,
I toured Seville, where ladies rode with grace
on horses with their toreadors! Romance
is in the air at Spanish fairs. And you
can make it hard for one to turn away
from all the magic offered there to see.
In northern parts of you, I was to see
The Pyrenees, whose beauty touched my soul,
quaint villages with mountain goats! Away
I went southeast then, greeted by more grace.
Along your coast, I saw a side of you
I grew to love, Valencia’s romance!
And in Madrid, I found my own romance,
a handsome Spaniard. Never would I see
his face again because, in leaving you,
I left him and a small part of my soul.
So much I’d not yet seen of all your grace,
but destiny was calling me away. . .
I yearn to feel romance inside my soul;
breathe history and see again your grace.
Enchanted land, you are so far away!
May 4, 2010 Now used for Thvia Shetley's Foreign Travel Contest
WHEN ALL THE WORLD IS QUIET
(It’s too late version)
When all the world is quiet
And the night is fully deep,
A mystic moon is watching
All the places underneath.
My thoughts like panthers moving
through the jungle, they do creep.
Among the lingering shadows
lies a naked hairy beast…
When all the world is quiet
Amid the pine trees night is dark,
The Hunter charges east-southeast
As Venus makes her mark.
But its not these welcome visitors
That wretched me from my sleep,
For they have come, the moving lights,
It’s their secrets I can’t keep.
When all the world is quiet
People would not believe
The shower of light, the dusting
Of illuminating cosmic debris;
“Not of this Earth”, I tell you,
“Embrace the night”, they implore.
But they often go to places
I’d rather not explore.
When all the world is quiet
Hairy beast meets Neo-man
They’ve been coming here for millennia,
Our consciousness to expand.
Too many gods, countless laws
And many borders defended,
The message they send is simple,
Life as we know it has ended.
When all the world is quiet
Listen if you can
Peace and love resound over
The noise of clumsy man.
Aspire to the Divine, my child,
Let children lead the way.
The music of the spheres is love,
Oh, let the music play.
Philippines, my country of birth,
one of the countries in Southeast Asia.
It is an archipelago or group of islands,
with more than seven thousand islands.
Luzon, the largest island in the northern
part of the country, is where I was born
and where Manila, the capital is located.
Manila, the city known as Pearl of the Orient.
Magellan, the Portuguese explorer for Spain
claimed the archipelago in fifteen hundred
twenty one, named the islands Las Felipinas
or The Philippines, after King Phillip II of Spain.
Philippines was colonized more than three
hundred years, from fifteen hundred sixty five
until eighteen hundred ninety eight and ruled
under Mexico-based Viceroyalty of New Spain.
Manila was called Pearl of the Orient Seas
by the historian/Jesuit priest Juan Jose Delgado
in seventeen hundred fifty one for being a way
of sea transactions during Asian trade of goods.
However, in Jose Rizal’s poem “My Last Farewell,”
he wrote before his execution by the Spanish
government for rebellion through his writings,
he stated his country as Pearl of the Orient.
So, Philippines, the country and not Manila,
the city became known as Pearl of the Orient,
upon the discovery of his poem after his execution
in December thirty, eighteen hundred ninety six.
Philippines is known as Pearl of the Orient for
its strategic location in Asia, rich biodiversity or
different kinds of plants and animals, natural
resources and its natural beauty and splendor.
The Spanish Crown called it Pearl of the Orient
for the country was a precious source of spices,
other resources and trade of goods, even prior to
their colonization to acquire a share in spice trade.
Philippines’ natural gem is south sea pearls
and it is renowned for cultivating south sea pearls.
The famous pearl in the country, known as The Pearl
of Lao Tzu, was considered the largest known pearl.
The pearl weighed fourteen pounds, found by a
Filipino diver in nineteen thirty four and later, a giant
pearl, the Pearl of Puerto weighing seventy five pounds,
found by a fisherman, both discovered in Palawan Island.
No doubt why The Philippines is called Pearl of the Orient,
the two biggest pearls were found in Palawan, Philippines.
Isn’t that the most obvious, sensible reason? I wonder……
Well, what do you think?...... Just asking……
I am....
An Ashanti warrior A Bantu dancer
I am a Yoruba royal clothed in my Asooke
Dancing Adowa and kpalogo to tunes from wulomei and masekela
I am proud Masai
Standing around manyattas,
Jumping to melodies from the olaranyani
Eunoto is here and today I dance in front my peers in transition into a senior warrior
Oh how sweet the African rhythms
Imprudently lifting and soul soothing
Sisala sebrew on Akan drums
Highlife explorations unending on opus 1.
I am an Ewe woman
From the lineage of Nerfetiti
And a great great ....grand daughter of Nandi
My Gèle will never fall off
My Dashiki will never fade out
I am a Fulani herdsman
Wandering the Sahel plains of Africa
Along with a fellow Malinke brother
Who speaks fluent igbo and today we revisit our roots in Nok
I’m from Gao
320 km east-southeast of Timbuktu.
A descendant of Sonni Ali ,
Reciting the epic of Sundiata with intertwining soothing kora melodies from Kandia Kouyate
Oh how dazzling the African landscape
And glorious it's Heritage
Such rekindling and Homeric folklores
And a boundless diverse cultures
I am the African dream
mother's only son my father’s only daughter
I'm the incantations of royal fetish and message behind the talking drum
I am the African noble
Free from identity torment
I know of my glorious past and my colourful future
My city will bleed no more
Never again will i be a wanderer
I know my culture
And my alluring language
Ah how powerful the African names
Araba Termytorphe and Ifedayo chant in unity
Diallo Sissoko and Achiaa bestow serenity
Mbali and Lamisi elegantly wore their kente
Tonight we dance to tunes from the kete
For Yaa Asantewaa never gave up the fight
So we lift our hearts with emancipated minds
To reach new heights ! O’ Nana Nyame,
May you forever guide us with your light .
Rising sun so soft,tender
like your forehead's red bindi
splashes colour in my mind
another new dawn.
=========000==========
Contest name--Red Sun
Date--- 24th June 2013
Bindi--A bindi ( Sanskrit bindu, meaning "a drop, small particle, dot"), or a pottu/bottu (in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam) is a forehead decoration worn in South Asia (particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Mauritius) [1] and Southeast Asia. Traditionally it is a bright dot of red color applied in the center of the forehead close to the eyebrows, but it can also consist of a sign or piece of jewelry worn at this location.
Hailed as “Pearl of the Orient Seas” is my country
God has blessed her with bounty so richly precious
Including a glorious, peculiar history…
That really makes me constantly freedom-conscious.
In Southeast Asia is where she's settled grandly
Possessing distinct culture she shares with neighbors;
Her heritage nurtured thru virtues lived by daily
Exposes me to good values as right armors.
With her triumphantly fought-for independence
Wrought by God’s sovereignty with people’s unity
Along heroes’ ardor, powered by love’s providence…
Now, I’m anchored by peace and justice-certainty.
By right governance, my country is doing well
Against evil society’s destructive attack
My fellow citizens’ great fortitude level
Helps me rise, as I, too, lift my pals at my back.
Midst challenges besetting my country’s courage
Despite crises and calamities she must face
Still, her residents stand resilient in every stage…
Thus, I do pray for her to prevail by God’s grace!
I thank God* for my good country and great nation,
This is where my identity is perfected...
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” My assertion!
“Long live the Philippines!” I declare, elated!
*Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
August 23, 2018
Edited on June 25, 2023
1st place, "If Your Birthplace-country was a poem" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Anoucheka Gangabissoon; judged on 7/8/2023
Each night I dream, I dream of you
Despite we are so far apart
By thousands of miles across seas
And mountains, time zones and the winds.
You left to take a job somewhere
In Southeast Asia or Japan.
You said that you’d return someday
But, I’m still waiting here for you.
Butterflies, I have seen return
And summer, autumn, winter, spring.
But, I have not heard anything
Of you since you departed me.
Yet, each night I dream, I have you,
Wherein I think you love me still.
I only hope my dreams come true,
For I love you and always will.
W.C.Hull © 2020-I53-K53-25-L61-25
1291 reads.
What do you know about a nightmare coming true and a dream being just a dream?
What do you know about things looking one way, but they aren't always what they seem?
What do you know about all you've ever known as a father is a dead beat dad?
What do you know about let downs, being all you ever had?
What do you know about living in America, one of the richest countries, but you've always
been poor?
What do you know about, in order to feed your kids tonight, you have to steal something
from the store?
What do you know about being so stressed out, you feel like you are on the verge of a heart
attack?
What do you know about being biracial, so you don't know if you're white or black?
What do you know about crying out but no one listens and no one cares?
What do you know about living alone in the hood of Southeast DC with your kids and not
being scared?
What do you know about, even when you don't have you want to give?
What do you know about this hard life that I live?
You’re hailed as “Pearl of the Orient Seas”
The Creator* has blessed you with rich endowments
Including a peculiar history, indeed great…
Making me thankful for making you the land of my birth.
In Southeast Asia is where you’re grandly settled
Possessing distinct culture you share with neighbors;
Your heritage nurtured through virtues lived by daily
Exposes me to good moral values.
With your triumphantly fought-for independence
Wrought by the Lord’s sovereignty with people’s unity
Along heroes’ ardor, powered by patriotism and love
I’m now anchored by peace, justice and freedom-might.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”** My assertive declaration!
“Long live the Philippines!” I shout with gratitude!
*Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
**The Tagalog words for "Long live the Philippines!"
December 24, 2019
2nd place, "Whitman-Inspired Uplifting Poetry, old or new" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Carolyn Devonshire; judged on 1/20/2020.
(Internal rhyme)
One week of peace, I’ll watch the geese,
Maybe fly southeast, or maybe southwest,
It will be their quest, I’ll be their guest,
As geese fly east, I will watch in peace,
And sit on my fleece, as geese fly east.
Inherit my wings, give flying a fling,
And see if it brings, winter or spring,
Summer again, or a winter benign,
Nature will win, doing it all again,
Season’s cycle, by Angel Michael,
Life’s natural recycle.
Fall weather’s best, within to get rest,
Visit Oktoberfest, a very trying test,
Disturbing my rest, being no more a guest,
Pokka dancing storm, advances age alarm,
Finished with that, just play with cat,
Until he spits, then I’ll quit,
Then I’ll get!.. a chair…
and just sit!
For: A Week To Do As I Please
In Honor of Carol Brown and contest!
Blood relatives, we are not
By laws or marriage we are didn't knot
Nor characters in theater or movie plot
Yet he and I care, We both allot
He is from middle east
I am from the southeast
God is good cause he let us meet
Bad or good times, no quits
He gives me this sentimental necklace
Which I always wear and trace
Symbol of my so called talent
Refreshed and flowered in vent
I miss him so much
I wish he knows this such
I wish a hug that clutch
We bond with no match
I called him my brother
He calls me his little sister
Different faith, different race
Yet, all dear we are square
By: olive_eloi
3:18pm
01/13/2014
Dedicated to: my long time brother.. Not by blood.. Not by law but by heart...
Limerick cochetés: Our great uhr-Father from Africa
Our great uhr-Father from Africa
Hallowed be Thy fame in high Valhalla
The Asian walk-about
Down backbone coccyx snout
Who didst Thou mate in Peninsula Malaya
To produce orangutan Malaysia
Did our great uhr-cousin Gorilla
Chimpanzee when in doubt
Precede Thy walk-about
Swinging from tree to tree to Australia
To judge by great life in Southeast Asia
Smoke-filled lungs from HAZE in Sumatra
Death penalty for tout
With drugs- Hell for khalwat*
Is there doubt who preceded whom from Africa
• khalwat: (a Muslim – all Malays - religious law)
According to which, no Malay may marry a non-Muslim nor be found in close proximity giving rise to suspicion of promiscuousness, law enforceable by religious courts whose officials are empowered to spy on offenders and report their activities to the relevant authorities
© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2015
At dinner, Zach asks
about our nation's history, wars.
I say We're taking on everyone, one at a time.
First Britain, then Britain again: "He was the surly English pluck, and
there is no tougher or truer, and never was, and never will be."
Next Mexico: "Death is indifferent to what hide he tans; life crushes men
like flies."
The War Between the States: "Well done, Mr. Cromartie. Time now
for rest."
Most of Latin America: "Not only humans longed for liberation. All
ecology groaned for it too. The revolution is also one of lakes,
rivers, trees, animals."
Then Southeast Asia: "The slight bump the mortars make as they kiss
the tube goodbye. Then the furious rain, a fist driving home the
message: Boy, you don't belong here."
Now the Middle East: "A land to be admired like all lands. Harsh
mountains and deserts, indigenous plants and people, adapted
ungulates, carnivorous mammals."
Can't forget the Krauts & Nips: "Then I heard the bomber call me in:
Little Friend, Little Friend, I got two engines on fire. Can you see
me, Little Friend?"
Nor the Commies: "You mixed up farewell to an epoch with the
beginning of a new one. I put this book here for you, who once
lived, so that you should visit us no more."
The original indigenous people say: "In time wexll become prosperous,
or else we'll become martyrs. The force that placed us here cannot
be trusted."
O Philippines, my beloved country!
An archipelago of islands in Southeast Asia,
Rich in culture and society.
Her fame spreads like a "flavored shisha."
A variety of rare animals you'll see
Such as tarsiers, tamaraws, flying lemurs...
Marine species and coral reefs by the sea.
O Great Philippines! Her beauty shines!
Come now and visit Philippines.
Go to Boracay and Palawan Islands,
As one of the wonders of the world today
And join the hundreds of tourists each day.
And yes! I'm proud to live in Philippines
With so many loving memories.
O Philippines! I greatly admire!
For Her I'll give up my life.
She made me
Of who I am today,
An abiding citizen to the country.
O Philippines! I greatly admire!
L’octroi des droits à Jacky – Translation of Mudroroo Narogin’s « They Give Jacky Rights » by T. Wignesan
(Note : The first aboriginal writer to have achieved – according to Kevin Gilbert’s Inside Black Australia – international fame with his novel : Wild at Falling (1965) as runner-up for the Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize, in 1966, Colin Johnson who renounced his Christian names in 1988 for the aboriginal : Mudrooroo Narogin was born at Narogin in Western Australia in 1938. Educated at an orphanage, he was thereafter left to fend for himself on the streets of Melbourne. He has also travelled widely in Southeast Asia, Britain, the United States and India where he became a Buddhist monk for seven years. He is a published playwright, poet and novelist, and he co-authored : Before the Invasion : Aboriginal Life to 1788 (OUP, 1980) with Colin Bourke and Isobel White.) T. Wignesan, Paris, December 13, 2016.
On l’octroie des droits à Jacky
Comme le serpent tigre des droits à son proie:
On l’octroie des droits à Jacky,
Comme le droit d’une victime d’être visée d’un viseur de fusil.
On l’octroie des droits à Jacky
Comme on les donne à un bébé pas encore né
Arraché de l’utérus par une mère insouciante.
On l’octroie à Jacky le droit de mourir,
Le droit de consentir qu’on fonde des mines sur sa terre.
On l’octroie à Jacky le droit de regarder
Comment sa terre sacrée du Rêve (Dreaming) devient un trou –
Son âme meure, ses ancêtres pleurent;
Son âme meure, ses ancêtres pleurent:
On l’octroie à Jacky son droit –
D’avoir un trou sous le sol ?
La Justice pour tous, Jacky s’agenouille et prie,
La Justice pour tous, ils font des trous dans sa terre ;
La Justice pour tous, on lui accorde ses droits :
Une cruche du vin de table pour calmer sa douleur,
Et sa femme devait se prostituer pour ce cadeau.
La Justice pour tous, on lui octroie ses droits –
Un trou sous le sol pour y cacher sa méfiance et sa peur.
Qu’est-ce que Jacky peut se faire sinon continuer à lutter :
Les esprits de son Dreaming* lui rendent fort ?
• Dreaming/Alcheringa : The creation of the universe, the time known to most people as the Dreamtime or the Dreaming. (Oodgeroo, My People, 1990.)
© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2016.