In the hush of dawn, I walk alone,
with sleepy steps and thoughts half-grown.
The trees, they stretch in silent grace,
as sunbeams paint the morning’s face.
The birds begin their tender song,
and somehow, I just hum along.
Each leaf it sways, each breeze, it stays,
like God walks with me here today.
My shoes find joy in fallen leaves,
a crunch beneath the cool-kissed breeze.
And all at once, I feel it there,
the light that filters through the air.
At sunset too, when school is done,
I chase the gold behind the sun.
A jeepney ride, a fading hue,
the trees all bathed in honeyed blue.
Through branches stretched across the sky,
the light peeks in, a soft goodbye.
It dances, dreamy, light and free—
a glimpse of Heaven: komorebi.
--
Komorebi: A Japanese word that means sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees.
I wonder where she’s going to,
This pretty maid in front of me;
And why it is she looks so blue,
Her sadness is so plain to see.
What lovely silhouette she makes,
Her face turned slightly to the side;
Now and again deep breaths she takes
And looks as though she’s teary-eyed.
She is an Angel in distress--
What pain she bears I want to know,
But I can’t ask her to confess
Though I don’t want her yet to go.
She lifts her hand to brush her hair;
Now I can see her features clear.
Her beauty shines amidst despair;
I sit agape and watch her near.
For one quick moment our eyes meet:
I don’t know where to turn my gaze.
I feel my heart does miss a beat,
And everything seems but a haze.
Today this scene still haunts my mind
Although it transpired years behind.
*Jeepney--traditional mode of transportation in the Philippines, with twin long seats, each accommodating 8-10 passengers facing each other.
April 12, 2023
Chanso: 5 verses + 1 envoi
8 syllables per line, quatrain, iambic tetrameter
Syllables checked with How Many Syllables
Rhyme checked with RhymeZone
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A guy sat beside her
in the jeepney, then read his book.
She looked at the cover,
he threw his glance at her--
their eyes met...
Dry Dry Dry
There's a beer river up at San Miguel. We went up there to the brown river. A little wooden boat carried our souls. Not to safety. We all fell into the beer river! I was floundering so bad. The three others couldn't save me; nor me them. Beer engulfed us. It was each to their own. Save your skin. Not before drinking your fill. The others preferred San Mig Lite. I had Red Horse. I was called Lucky as I spied a bottle of Happy Horse. I swear the horse was smiling. We drank the San Miguel river ing dry dry dry. I burped when I was done. Drank my fill. As had the rest. I staggered shoreward. Leaving our upturned boat on river bed. If you read this, tell them we drank the San Mig river dry dry dry. And it don't exist no more. Except in myth and legend. So I'll spare you the Antipolo Jeepney ride there. Don't go looking for it. We drank the San Mig river dry dry dry.
Last night
June 10
Jobs done
Going home
Rode the jeepney
Freaking slow
Driver's texting while driving
Arrived about 7 Pm
Went to the computer shop
It was full
To the second shop
Lots of vacant seats
I logged in
It was a drop coin type
1 peso
Cant login to my game
No can do
Then to the other unit
Another peso
Cant login to my game
No can do
Then to another
Another peso, yes
Cant login to my game
No can do
Then another one again
Cant login to my game
No can do
Shiiiiiiiiiiiit.
I'm just hoping for a first win
A first win for this day
Went to the computer shop
I first went in
Other guys logged out
Vacant seat for me
Happily can login
Yes I do
Played 1st game
Defeat
Stupid team mates
F*ck*ng feeders
(/>__<)/ _|__|_
No 1st win for today
Hopefuly tomorrow maybe.
I am in the jeepney in the eve of 24
I have people around me yet I am alone
I am too emotional this time
Missing someone that I cannot be with
I want to cry with no tears in my eyes
Yet my heart is tearing deeply
I wanted to shout so loud "I love you" but I cannot in public
This is the feeling I have this time.
Oh God tell me to calm my feeling and ease it to dream
Tomorrow shall be my day
I love you God!