There once was a man from Manila
Who was also a serial killer
When he had you for tea
You’d be the entree
His parties were just like a thriller.
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
Night sparks open as the city stirs
Carts roll in with clattering metal and whirs
Charcoal pops where the isaw turns
Smoke drawing ribbons as the skewer burns
Kwek-kwek stacked like tiny setting suns
Crisp shells waiting for the rush of hungry ones
Fish balls jitter in their bubbling bath
Vendors calling routes like a seasoned craft
Balut passed warmly like a whispered trust
Salt and broth rising through the evening dust
Every corner alive bold and bright
Manila seasons life bite after bite
All killer.. not a scintilla of filler.. like the thriller in Manila
Mean baggie green bangers obscene BazBall gall clangers
Head distiller a pillar has such skill.. touch with his silky tiller
Starc’s iron will topped the bill with hefty lefty driller flotilla
No beige or vanilla just fancy dan elan like Faustino Asprilla
The fate of blind date no real surprise surprise can hear Cilla
England Ashes grief, flashes of mischief of late great Keith Miller
They planted trees but forgot their water.
Each leaf a wrinkled newspaper clipping
from a world I never subscribed to.
Noise here is curated.
A choir of car horns, a sermon of drills
but I hear the silence
between footsteps
and the echo
of one slippered child
crossing the pedestrian overpass
with rice in a plastic bag.
My eyes collect
forgotten wrappers,
graffiti prayers,
the melancholy
of sky cut by concrete.
They say you must harden in Manila.
But I cracked
gently,
like an eggshell left in heat.
Manila the Imperial City of the Philippines
It is like a mirror reflecting itself
What you see in Manila is you see the Philippines
There you see high rise glass building
The modern mask of modernity
You see commercial establishment
The breathtaking Mall of Asia
The century old China town is here
Manila is different for me
I see Manila the old walled city
I smell the fresh noodles of Ongpin
I still see the largest Rizal park along the bay
I still witness tourist attraction horse drawn calesa
I still like the hopia of Binondo
The age-old long line stalls of pawnshops along Escolta
Maybe the skyscrapers are the other version book of Manila
And the places I went in is the old version of Manila
Though the city changes, I still like the old version
Which version you are in
It's up to you for your choosing
My memory of Manila is eternal
Not to forget the Binondo Bridge whose ancient
Now being constructed modestly
This is the past and the future
Common denominator of history.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
-------------------------------------------
7/20/2015
Contest - New or Old Poems
Sponsor - Eve Roper
3rd place win
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.
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