Best Yong Poems
We'll miss your presence, Connie dear
the special kindness you have shown-
and now we're feeling quite alone.
We'll miss your poems, that is clear-
the time you took to reading ours-
your comments rating full five stars!
Your thoughtful words were so sincere,
and full of hope in your sweet way-
for us a gracious word bouquet.
Too soon, such sad news did appear!
Your husband, son- from life did pass.
Though crushed, your courage did amass.
Now, of your passing, we must hear!
Your restored health took a bad turn-
such unexpected news to learn!
We'll miss your presence, Connie, dear-
We'll miss your poems, that is clear.
Your thoughtful words were so sincere.
Too soon, such sad news did appear!
Now, of your passing, we must hear!
September 14, 2022
Form: "Constanza", invented by Connie Marcum-Wong
Kung sasariwain ko sa 'king isip
Ang nangagdaang mga kapanahunan,
Liban kay Jessang lubhang pinintakasi,
Ikaw'y naroon 'di ko maikukubli!
Sa koliheyo kata'y nagkakilala,
Katoto kita sa 'sang asignatura,
Sa unang tagpo'y 'di ko maikakaila
May paghanga ako sa iyong nadama.
Aywan ko rin ba Nina't 'di ko sadya
Na noon ni Kopidp ako'y napana.
Nasok sa kamunti- muntiang himaymay
Na aking laman katagian mong taglay.
Makailag- ulit sa silid-aralan,
Habang ating guro' nagbab'hagi alam,
Ako'y nag-aastang maysakit tiyan,
Labas- pasok silid ng ikaw'y matunghan!
Minsan, maaga pa sa silang ng araw
Kung ako'y dumatal sa silid- turuan.
Takot mahuli? Oo! Ngunit ang pakay
Liban sa takot, Nais kang masilaya.
"di naglao'y lumipas ang mga araw;
Ikaw'y ipinagdamot, wari ninakaw
Ng oras. Naubos buong limang buwan
Kay bilis, animo kidlat kang naparam.
Sa gayon ka tatamis na alaala,
Ay gayong dita rin sinikap kong bathin.
Dahil sa likod ng sibol nang paghanga,
"di ko nasabing, "Nawa ikaw ay akin!"
Ngayon, tila mga along nagbabalik
Ang mga araw ng tuwa kong nasapit.
"yong mga araw'ng ma kamandag sa huli
Ngayong kaklase kita sa Master's degree.
Ngunit ngayong tana'y multong nagbabalik,
May sinusumpa akong 'di mauulit!
Ang batid ko lang a siyang gaganapin
Ay liligawan kita. Walang pipigil!
Kung sakaling ngayon ikaw'y may pag- ibg,
At ikaw Nina'y sadlak sa pagkatali,
Magka- ao ma'y 'di ako palulupig!
Laya mo ay hihintayin hanggang huli!
I.
Matapos ang pagsabog ng 'yong alindog,
Mayro'ng ingay'ng sa paarala'y pumutok,
Walang anu- ano, ang laya' y nasugpo.
Silid nati'y nagkakulay at napuno.
II.
"Dito sa bandang hilaga ng likuran,
Sa layo'y patayo kitang tinutunghan,
Tahimik 'kong puso mo'y sinusumpaan
Ng pagmamahal ." Kung nauulinigan...
III.
Kung nababatid mo rin, o, aking pita,
Sa kaumiran ng bibig ko'y may pasya.
Ito'y, "Ang utak at puso'y itataya!
Magbabanat- buto nang ibigin sana.”
IV.
Katipunan ng talastas na 'lang ingay
Ay pinagtitibay nang pagtat’as- kamay.
Kung nababatid o kaya'y naririnig,
Liban sa Diyos, ang saksi'y itong silid.
Kaluluwa ko’y muling sinasariwa
Ang nangagngulatding-talulot ng tuwa
Na bibihira na lamang nadadalaw’t
Nadidiligan nitong abang gunita.
Dito ngayon sa ‘king pagbabalik-sulyap
Sa kahapong tila ‘di malip’rang-uwak;
Kaluluwa ko ay nasubsob sa dawag
Ng damuhan ng gun’tang nasawimpalad.
Dito ay aking pamuling namamalas
Ang mapanglaw’ng kagalakan ng lumipas.
‘tong galing buhat sa nasawing pagkasi
At pagtatangi sa isang binibini.
Saka mga mata ko ngayo’y uma’mbon
Ng luhang dito pala’y nagkukulong.
O ‘yong alaala nasawing pag-ibig…
Kinakamandag parin aking isip.
You just have a way that when i see you, you mak me so happy when i with you.
Evey time i see you i get this great feeling when im around you. I guess they call
that love. when i see that your feelind down about your history about you dad,
i think about loosing my dad, i love my dad like you loved your dad. But thats why i
see you most days of my life is to not see you sad.
I will alway be there for you, even i the weather is bad,sven if their was a
blizzerd,snow storm or if the word was falling apart.
I will alway be there for you because i love you so much.
My parent might call it youn love. But they where yong once too.
The one I truly love is Kyle when im around him i get this aulsum feelind deep
inside my heat.
Lots of people can for give but only once in a life time you truly love.
Love is the most pawerfull thing in the world.
Kasiyahang ‘di ko lubusang mawari;
At kislap nang nag-uumapaw na ngiti
Sadyang bakas sa nanging'nig na mga labi
Noong tayo ay tahasang magkatabi.
Paghihirap na ‘di bakas… nililihim…
Pagkat kahit ipilit may ‘la sa piling,
Kahit kalipunan ng ‘king kinikimkim
Sa balikat mo'y ‘di sambit't maibitling.
Ang mga marka nang siphayo sa damdamin,
At nahubog na piklat ng kaw'lang-lambing,
Pawang mga naulilang lubos sa dilim
Kung saan liwanag mo ang lumalambing.
Sa balikat mo'y ‘lang mal'sap na pangamba
Ne ‘lang supling nang pagsisising mahal ka.
Sa kabuoan nitong mga pagdurusa,
Ang isuko ka ay 'di ko magagawa.
Sa tabi nang ‘yong mukhang mapag-aruga,
Ay ulo kong sa puso mo'y na'tulala.
Ang tibok nito'y pilit kong dinarama,
Hinahabol saglitang buntong-hininga.
Sa pili mong balikat aking dalangin,
At ibinubulong sa puso mong gising,
Ang ipinar'rinig, "Kita'y hihintayin
Maging ang katapusan ay sasapitin."
Sa'yong tabing waglit tanang pagtitiis,
Ang iyong balikat na lagi kong nais,
Dalangin at panaghoy kong mula noon
"Di birong tinutuo ng langit ngayon.
Ang mapasa'yong balikat buong buhay,
Makapiling ka gitna nitong mga tangway,
Kahit man din sadyang mayro'ng kahirapan,
Sa Poon kita'y palagian kong dasal.
Mabuti't inaari mong kalayaan
Ang namamayani sa mahal kong bayan!
Mabuti't iyo paring nalalasahan
Ang bunga ng pagkakabuwal ni Rizal!
Ngunit bamuti ba ‘yong nakikita?
Siguro nga ganap na tayong ‘timawa,
Subalit imulat mo ang mga mata
Pakpak nati'y hindi parin malaya!
Kung totoo't ganap ang kalayaan
Bakit basal ang isip ng karamihan?
Ang totoong nagaganap sa sambayanan
Ay batid lamang ng tiyak kong iilan.
Hindi tayo Malaya! Ito ang totoo;
Patuloy tayong tota ng ‘sang Estado!
Nakasandig parin sa kapangyarihan
Ng isang Amerikang mayama't marangal.
(Dedication: For my nephew
Yong Chye and his wife Su Pei)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wonder finds joy in love most true,
Explore each day the path of cheer.
Thrill funds new ploys in happy cues,
We find nice ways to make life dear;
Observe the will of two hearts kind.
Gather in time our journey grand,
Align fond feel in cherished finds;
Touch in deep rhymes lover and friend,
Heart to heart we live warm feelings;
Embrace a voice in charming choice,
Reach out to be understanding.
Now seeds fond poise beyond vain noise,
Opt lovely smiles where laughter lights,
Work out fond style to live love bright.
Leon Enriquez
26 September 2015
Singapore
Just For You ((Token #2)
Ikwintas mo sa iyong leeg ang tali,
Itanim mo rin ito sa iyong puso,
Panghawakan mo sa lahat ng sandali,
Huwag mong bitawan nang dahil sa tukso,
Ito ang sa iyo ay magkakandili,
Kahit ano pa ang mangyari sa mundo,
Ibuhay mo nga ang salita ng Diyos,
Sundin ito nang buong ingat at lubos.
Sa iyong leeg ang tali ay ikwintas,
Laging magpasakop sa Pamamahala,
Huwag kang lalabag sa utos at batas,
Huwag itong ipagwawalang-bahala,
Upang sa araw ng wakas ay maligtas,
At matiyak ang biyaya't gantimpala,
Ang matulis ay huwag ngang sisikaran,
Sayang ang tiniis kapag kinalagan.
Manatiling tapat sa mga tuntunin,
Huwag kang titigil sa mga pagtupad,
Sa Amang banal ay maging masunurin,
Ang nasa pagsamba'y tiyak na mapalad,
Landas ng masama ay huwag tahakin,
Upang putong ng katwiran ay igawad,
Sa 'yong pag-ibig ay huwag manlalamig,
Ikwintas mo ang tali sa iyong leeg.
A LOVELY BABY BOY
(For Supei, Yong Chye, Hock San
and all family and friends)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A special day for all to know:
A baby boy in early hours,
A lovely way to shine and show,
A time for joy both yours and ours.
A time for cheer to live love's plan:
A space for grace to touch each face,
A feeling here that sparkles grand,
A fond embrace in time and space.
A new dad styles his fondest gaze:
A brave mummy feels happy now,
A time for smiles from hearts amazed,
A family baby endows.
Ah Kong feels proud to share this tale:
"A day for me to tell the world,
A face most loud as love avails,
A touch set free as Christmas swirls."
Here's to Supei, a mother dear,
Cheers to Yong Chye, with curious eyes,
Simon now says: "Ah Kong is here!"
Now we know why with happy sighs.
A fond blessing at Christmas time:
A lovely boy for all to know,
A new meaning for merry chimes,
A living joy with love that shows.
"May all your days be filled with grace:
May love and light surround good cheer,
May rainbow rays fill your fine face,
May faith give sight to you my dear."
Leon Enriquez
26 December 2016
Singapore
(Note: *"Ah Kong" in the Chinese dialect, Hokkien from native Fujian province, means Grandfather. My brother-in-law from my wife's side, is today a happy grandfather of a bouncing baby boy, fondly nicknamed "Xiao Chye" or in simpler terms, Little Chye.)
Kung sakaling nalulumbay
Subukan mo na mahimlay,
Mahimbing at managinip
Nang mamatay abang isip.
Kung minsan namang masaya
At nais ‘wag nang matawa.
Ipikit ‘yong mga mata
Sa panaginip maluha.
At kung may pag-aalala,
Subukan mo ring mahiga
At maidlip sa ‘yong kama
Nang pangamba’y ‘ibsang kusa.
Iwan ‘tong mundong uma’pi,
Lim’tin tanang pagsisisi,
Poot ay sabay’ng iwaksi,
Ang managinip ay libre.
I Have a Yong Suster
(anonymous Medieval English riddle-poem, circa 1430)
translation by Michael R. Burch
I have a young sister
Far beyond the sea;
Many are the keepsakes
That she sent me.
She sent me the cherry
Without any stone;
And also the dove
Without any bone.
She sent me the briar
Without any skin;
She bade me love my lover
Without longing.
How should any cherry
Be without a stone?
And how could any dove
Be without a bone?
How should any briar
Be without a skin?
And how could I love my lover
Without longing?
When the cherry was a flower,
Then it had no stone;
When the dove was an egg,
Then it had no bone.
When the briar was unborn,
Then it had no skin;
And when a maiden has her mate,
She is without longing!
I wrote and read this poem at my grandmothers funeral.
While growing up, Toni; Steven and I
saw our Grandparents sacrifice,
so much of their own lives, without a fuss.
Along with our Mother, they did it just for us.
Though Grandpa he was called, he was our father
and in Mom and Grandma, we had two amazing Mothers.
We loved them with the clarity of a childs heart,
in each one of us, they became, so much a part.
Sadly, we have gathered together here today,
to say our final goodbye, to a wonderful lady.
Grandma was tough, she was stubborn and oh so loving.
She had about her, that special something.
That had every child in every neighborhood,
calling her Grandma, whenever they could.
I remember her ready laughter, at our antics,
and her guidance, by the seat of our panties.
The countless batches of cookies baked.
For each one of us, every year, our own special birthday cake.
The delicate Barbie and Troll doll clothes she made,
the big band music, on the stereo, she played.
The fragrant roses and brilliant dahlias, tended with care.
The home canned pears, who with the neighbors, she shared.
Then we grew up and though with Mom, we moved away,
Grandma and Grandpa, stayed in our thoughts every day.
Our sister Kristi was born and added to Grams happiness and pride,
then as if by magic, the years just flew by.
The four of us were having children of our own,
when Gram would hold them, her face fairly glowed.
Gram saw her great grand children grow into yong ladies and men,
Then came along some great, great, grandchildren.
I was always amazed, but never surprised,
how Gram, through the children, came alive.
Gram's whole essence was that of pure love.
So I firmly believe she has placed herself, in charge of the baby angels above.
She holds them in arms, that once embraced all of us.
She, herself, is held now in the arms of Jesus.
She is looking down upon us now, with a love untold.
Within her angels wings, she does now, all of us enfold.
In Loving memory of Margaret Sanford.
1918-2010
'THERE'S A SHARK IN MY SOUP!'
Not an eyebrow was raised,
Not a shudder nor blood-curdling scream.
For in Peking you see, it's a delicacy
To consume shark fin soup it would seem.
But when diners looked round,
With his head in a bowl
Was renowned Casanova - Wang Yong.
And his date said : 'You cheat,! You're a shark on the beat!
So it's in that there bowl you belong!
29/12/18
'Shark in my soup' contest : sponsored by Anthony Slausin
It all began in a laboratory in Wuhan;
Shan Chi sneezed next to Li Huan,
And they both gave it to Sue Han,
Who spread it all over Fenghuang.
Shie Ming went to Taiwan,
And she wasn't the only one,
Who talked to Sue Han
Who got it from a cousin from Wuhan.
And now Lien Mien Yong
Also went to Hong Kong,
It spread all along,
And it found Zhou Xong
He gave it to Kay Lee
Who stood next to me
In the mall in Juechii
Where I was eating Sushi.