# data[].attributes.body
Eyes that shine like stars in the sky

Smiles giving sunshine to people passing by

Voices like birds chirping early in the day

Their laughter, like coffee that keeps me awake.

Hearts warmer than the heat you feel,

Their love is enough for a soul to heal.

A friend that isn't just a member,

They treat each other as if he was a brother.

When I found them,

I realized that

their music is a work of art

with words they speak

that flutter my heart.

Mikaela Atanante

# data[].attributes.body
The very place I was given when I first saw light,

The very place where I played day and night,

The very place I learned to love throughout my life,

The very place where you could hear my cries.

Found here was only I.

A lone shaded window stands prominent,

Surrounded by walls ironically colored bright and flamboyant,

Also it is seen opposite the entry,

the entryway of isolation and privacy.

Found here was only I.

A window stood tall bringing in enough warmth and light,

Surrounded by walls joyful day and night,

Also it is seen opposite the entry,

The entryway of peace and my escape from reality.

Here no one stayed but me, myself and I.

#15
Sydney Espino
POEE B
8/31/17

# data[].attributes.body
Tired minds and tired eyes

Hollow people and their cries

Pure white everywhere

People pulling at their hair

Orchids, Roses, Chrysanthemums

Music heard in low hums

Murmurs of condolences

The peoples' sharing of experiences

Faces both familiar and yet to be known

Whoever they are, their sadness is shown

Fake smiles, real pain

With this memory my heart is stained

Makeup caked on his face

A little box, is his place

Someone once so full of life

Leaving his children, his family, his wife

A place empty, but also full

Without him, this place feels so dull

A toss of flowers

As tears shower

Turning away, trying to forget

This is the saddest I've seen my family, I bet

Among the stars, he remains

But my fond memory of him forever retains

# data[].attributes.headline
Maybe Someday (The realization of Today) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Maybe Someday (The realization of Today) 

# data[].attributes.body
A ladder lies sideways on the street—

this was the first time I had let my eyes drift sideways
into the dilapidated pit of yesterday's dreams,
carved across the pavement,
smelling distinctly of rotten flesh.

Across the street, a silhoutte,

it comes to me and comes alive,

newly doused in color, a dark woman,

the sun glittering on her skin,

Iridescent fruit from her weathered woven basket,

For each piso, a Christ on a cross.

A visage of fluorescence,

sheltering ruins of her lachrymose tears,

Neglecting the gaze of the feral abound,

But when the coins crinkle on palms of gold,

Trapped in her need, morality chased into pockets.

If only more poor were rich.

# data[].attributes.body
My lola has left me in the car alone
And it's in these few moments
Wherein I'm left to my own demices
That my mind's raging against currents
I don't feel sadness, but I'm empty
All these thoughts flow, I let be

You feel that a hole is etched
In your heart and you feel empty
As if the sorrowness and pain
Are never going to let you free
You feel as if it's within your grasp
Although, time again it's far
And too much time has lasped

It's the feeling of knowing
That you will never be enough
It's the bitterness you'll feel
Covered under a laugh
Your words slur to the sound
Of the nothing you find profound

It is in these moments
Wherein I question my scars
Evident in my face, my voice
How my eyes don't see stars
How I stare at the sun at noon
Forgetting it will burn my eyes soon

It is in these moments
When my heart drains its red
An emptiness at my pit
The crack of my voice evident
It is in these moments
When I feel hopeless

And then my lola comes back

And I'm no longer alone

# data[].attributes.headline
Crawling into Old Photos (Nostalgia) for Dummies

# data[].attributes.subject
Crawling into Old Photos (Nostalgia) for Dummies

# data[].attributes.body
How do you know you're getting old?

I may be mistaken, but it's in remembering

your aunts two-stepping to the music

when you hear the faint clicking of heels nearby

How do you know you're getting old?

It's when you look through your drawer and

imagine your legs crossed, mother's hands through your hair

Your locks untamed by the rubber band, a sickly sight to bear

How do you know you're getting old?

It's in risking it all to fall into a dusty photo

Just to live in the static and drown in memories

And find comfort in being around old faces

How do you know you're getting old?

It's going back into your childhood and seeing

The bicycle rides, tree climbs and TV shows

And not the bruises on your legs and the lead girl's thin nose

Nostalgia is a feeling not to analyze

It would just waste the fleeting moment,

Like catching a butterfly to observe it

Just best to swim in its trance

I'm in a highway I've never been to before

It's mere asphalt and trees for miles ahead

And the saccharine congeniality of the sun and the horizon

Dancing until the night sky sends them away

I'm in a highway I've never been to before

Yet I feel my first bout of nostalgia

Going through our old CDs and photographs

In a stranger of a road, like what I now am to you

# data[].attributes.body
A multitude of lights shine upon me,
dancing all around, filling the stage.
Thousands of seats right in front of me
just waiting to be occupied, for someone to stay.

Voices of mixed emotions bounce off the walls,
loud whispers of chatter are heard by all.
The yell on the director's "cut!",
co-actors tell you "break a leg" -- brings good luck.

Furious flipping of ancient looking scripts,
rehearsing lines until you get the emotion you see fit.
Making my way backstage, hoping not to trip.
Lifting against my body the long, sparkling outfit.

Dust particles tickle my nose,
a reminder of our predecessors.
Sweaty armpits seen on those who are nervous,
mixed with the smell of shampoo and hairspray from the hairdresser.

The energy backstage is palpable,
as we prepare ourselves to perform.
Excited chatter, and nervous babble --
The lights are on, it's now time to transform

Romina Letaba

# data[].attributes.body
A harsh shower of glass shard rain
Of silver slivers, stabbing steel
Or so I thought, when nervously
I paused before leaving the room

I braced myself as I stepped out
Not a roof shielding me from rain
Though gently so the water fell
Like wintry kisses on my skin

My opened eyes and awestruck breath
A pastel cyan seamless sky
Refreshing scent of seaside mist
Crystal drops striking glassy sand

A sprint, a laugh, a joyous leap
The ocean's icy, warm embrace
And that of present time so real
Of good adventure and sweet thrills

And stepping lightly on soft ground
reflecting teal and cyan hues
Sprinkling of sparkling springtime rain
Gave me true love for living life

Andrea Noelle Vitan

# data[].attributes.body
Imagery Poem

Julia Angelene A. Perez

POEE 9-B

These Tracks Are Fairytale-Forged

twice I've been to the land of all make-believe

though i soon uncovered its fair share of fleeting realness

street tricks and novelty items dazzle around ever corner

and the first-time awe is melt-in-your-mouth candy

the second trip: where artificial sugar dissolves

it tastes more like viand-less rice, no magic here,

except i force myself to give it a pandan scent in my mind

and so, slowly, the dull twinkle of fantasy illuminates again

the train to get there has the same ambiance

walls of slap-happy characters and fictional royalty

fictional— the word sticks to the roof of my mouth

like peanut butter treats, i cant not be bothered by it

but looking around the carriage, a family caught my eye

the first-time wander washed over them like paint

and the children, bless their hearts, smiling ear to ear

clutching balloons that floated taller than themselves

a switch flicked in me, seeing their naive excitement

reminding me of my own wide-eyed eagerness

much like awaiting to tear open birthday presents—

and so i let out a breath i didn't know i was holding

i sink back into my seat, relief taking over, finally

hearing the train rumble instead of my ringing pulse

because it didn't matter that the land was make-believe,

there was something real it gave us. i felt it in the tracks.

# data[].attributes.body
A haven almost 2000 miles away,

a place I'd forever want to stay.

Memories that flow like a rushing river,

more important than the worth of shining silver.

A family excited for their trip,

no words can even come from their lips.

My dream which is now becoming a reality,

beautiful Mount Fuji for my eyes to see.

The smell of fresh mochi wafting in the air,

an offer to decline I would not dare.

It was not only the of stomachs that were full,

but the stings of our hearts this experience would pull.

A breezy day in mid November,

an instance I will always remember.

The Temple of Kiyomizu-dera was not in sight,

oh no! we were lost birds faces full of fright

After awhile we finally found our way,

thank to a kind local helped we need not fray.

We found our destination,

accompanied by a sense of communication.

Much knowledge beyond our years we have gained,

this wonderful paradise that as I was leaving pained.

A future revisit to this country I definitely see,

thank you Japan for all you've taught me.

# data[].attributes.body
With  the huge smile I wore,
In my hand was a navy blue folder, which I worked hard for
And in my neck hangs, a piece of metal
As blinding bright as the sunlight's reflection in a mirror

My heart beat as loudly as the drums,
Simultaneously, it sang with glee
In front of me was a sea
A sea of people, mostly in pure white togas and caps

And they ,though covered with tears that can fill the ocean ,
still look as radiant as a groom and his bride
And the bleachers at their side,
they're all empty and their colors fading at some portion

This memory and this place
Will always have a spot in my heart
As huge as this gymnasium's space
But I had to say goodbye to unfold the new chapter in my life, a new start

# data[].attributes.body
I hear screams.
I taste bitterness.
I touch debris.
I smell musk.
I see white.

I see white.
I need help.
I tell white I need help.
I need white.
I don't want to hear these screams alone.

I don't want to hear these screams alone
I don't want to taste bitterness alone.
I don't want to touch debris alone.
I don't want to smell the musk alone.
I want white to be with me.

I hear people shout.
My ears hurt.
I give money.
I am confused.
I still hear cries.
I finally know why.

They don't want me.
They want their faith.

I now know.
My wall costs too much.
I'll build a bridge.
I have white with me.

We hear cheers.
We taste sweetness.
We heal.
We smell construction.
I need him.
Bigly.
They need him.

The impact was—
Huge.

# data[].attributes.body
I'll never forget our petty fights,
times when I just can't understand why.
Why you scolded me the other night
when I broke your selfie light.

I tried my best to stop you from crying,
we have a lot of lights in our house.
I keep on explaining, explaining and explaining,
hoping that you would stop overreacting.

But it is also in these moments,
moments when I do something terrible
or something terrible happens to me,
that I prove to myself, really
you are the best sister for me.

Although you get mad,
when I play with your make-up,
or barge into your wardrobe,
to do some dress-up.

But once you see mama
raises her hand to beat me up,
You are always there to calm her
and let her stop.

Although I always hear your "I told you so",
when I catch wounds from playing,
and I end up weeping,
you stop everything and start the cleaning.

Although you get mad really fast,
During tutor time,
Your smile is always the first to light up,
when I get high marks which means I'll get a lollipop.

These are just some of the reasons,
why for me you're the best.
Despite our countless arguments,
you never left me even if I'm the source of your stress.

I want to say sorry,
For all the problems I brought to thee,
and I promise to try my best,
to give you some rest.

I am one of the most blessed,
for having someone like you.
Who knows myself as much as I do,
and someone I would always look up to.

Always remember,
my big sister,
that I would always,
always love you.

# data[].attributes.body
#15
Sydney Espino
POEE B

When you were a child,

I knew it was love at first sight,

Whenever you looked up at me and smiled,

I fell deeper even despite those sleepless nights.

When you were a teen,

You were still as lovely as ever,

Despite the obvious distance between,

I promised to myself I would leave you, never.

When you were an adult,

You told me to leave you be,

One thought though lingered in my head. 'Is this my fault?

Yet I complied since I knew you were better off without me,

Here I stand watching you from above,

Watching you shout your regrets as if I could hear,

I'm sorry I broke my promise, my love,

I wish I was there to wipe away your tears.

# data[].attributes.body
At 5, you were my closest friend.

We would read books and play pretend.

From a huge sparkling monster to a pretty sparkling mermaid,

We made memories that will never fade.

You would bathe me and sing me to sleep,

And i told you a promise i said i'd keep.

"I'll always love you and to you i will lean"

Oh how things turned when i turned sixteen.

At 16, i hated how you always got in my way.

For you to leave and be gone, everyday I would pray.

It felt as if you were suffocating me,

To all the things you say i would never agree.

"Is that how you treat your mother?"

"Like I care", i would always mutter.

We would fight and i would ignore you,

Oh how much i couldn't wait to turn twenty two.

At 22, i was free and got to do anything.

Visits weren't frequent and to you, it was more painful than a sting.

I was happy but you were not

To me, you were a memory i forgot.

You tried to reach out but i never even bothered,

Thinking about you, my eyes never watered.

You were left alone while i was being carefree,

Oh how I wished that you never turned eighty-three.

Lots of things I wish I have said

But I was late and now its just in my head.

"I never said it, but you were the best mother.

Mom, i'm sorry I couldn't be a perfect daughter".

Mikaela Atanante

# data[].attributes.body
why are you so neat?

why do you hate my writing?

why is it so hard to listen

to what i want to say?

you're too strict

do you even have feelings?

you're an emotionless box

whose insensitivity has no limit

you're too common

your words are like dust

there's no color in your life

for you only see black and white

i do the most

im the star of the show

i dont need you

im fine on my own

but then again,

i have my own flaws

i have my own fears

im a mess

without you here

im afraid of forgetting

pretty thoughts

and im afraid of losing

good memories

for i am fragile

my own point breaks

whenever you talk

about my imperfections

im sorry im selfish

that i dont even care

that i take the spotlight

and try to escape you

you stopped me from losing control

and helped me through all

it would be chaos without you

so im happy you're here

im glad that you've stuck by my side

through every step i take

every mistake i make

every word i say

i wont let myself be a wreck

i'll be guided by your strictness

and i'll be happy about it still

for i would not be able to survive if it weren't for you

Astrud Ulili

# data[].attributes.body
Why are you so messy?

Can't you just write straight?

Is it really so hard to neatly record

All the things your point creates?

How are you so naive?

Can't your feelings be controlled?

Like your limitless blood, sweat and tears

Your words endlessly overflow

You are so mediocre

You're what they now call "chill"

Too cold, in fact, you freeze my brain

You don't care, you never will

You can spill all you want

Because you won't have to clean

I am the one who erases your mistakes

So won't you give me a break, please?

I know that I'm a perfectionist

A clean freak who overly cares

I take away what I don't like

Because that's me as an eraser

I confess, I am jealous

People want you more than me

That is why your long body would last months

And my little self would live for a week

I am merely a hat on your head

That quickly wears out from use.

I am the forgotten sidekick to the beloved hero.

It is a fate I cannot avoid or refuse.

These sour thoughts are my reason for hate

But you are more important to me than you think

You write down what I need to remember

In temporary, if not permanent ink

So thank you for reminding me

Of the good times, for I regret

That I erase and erase both good mistakes and bad

Failures and successes, in order to forget

I am glad you're my partner

We would not need each other any less

Although different, we are quite similar

(I, too, make my own mess)

I will cope with your mischief

That is my payback and "thank you"

Which I will give as long as my rubber lasts

Because I would not exist if it weren't for you

# data[].attributes.body
Honey, absence makes the heart grow fonder

but the warmth of yours has transferred into

the magma of your words and left your arteries

brittle, broken, stale and meaningless

I see time as it is, I am a visionary

I am hopeless, for I know best

you'll never win over good life the way you

neglect your mother, your body and work work work

Because look at me, singing in the rain

and look at you, you're defenseless

when time betrays you, watch yourself

trip over your words, bruise as you bruised me

With your knitted brows and nightstick

and ability to take things for granted

You look to far into the smallest things

Sure, you look pretty with Rolex on your wrist

but do you think your mother would

ever choose that over seeing you again?

And my only regret is not accomplishing

what my father wanted of me (suit, tie, suave smirk)

and I selfishly wish on dandelion puffs that I'd have lived

with a good balance of indulgence and sweat

And my love's turned into rhinestones

falling from the sky

And my love's turned into rotten wine

for the desperate for a high

I live and I laugh and I love harder than rain

But when I crash on the floor,

Who'll remember the fleeting life I lived in vain

My carefree self even I do not love anymore

You are still wrong, but we are both to blame

You'll walk a day in my shoes and wake up to blisters

My life is much more than a commercial for champagne

You don't see the mischief this freedom stirs

So go ahead, you upright and easy to exploit man

Fall into the abyss of your temptation

Deny your desire to live a life without a plan

For this turmoil will send you into damnation

I am empty I am angry I've been beguiled by a shooting star

I am crumbling I am hungry I'm a victim of internal war

I am phony I am sorry I'm a criminal from afar

Yet you, he who fails to take the blame loses in the end

# data[].attributes.body
You once had known and loathed begrudgingly
my uptightness and hate for present time
As what was temporal, I'd spitefully
declare as cheap: a shallow waste of time

You fought, you drank, skipped class, became a thief —
of course an officer like me would groan
and hate your reckless “seize the day” beliefs
as my resolve and certainty had grown
in my belief (or should I say my fear)
that living in the moment would deprive
me of my life and of my future's cheer
What does not last: a trap, a wild bee hive

But in my season now of bitter tears,
perhaps I realize my foolishness
delayed, delayed, and killed my “future's cheer”
and let my present rot to nothingness

Now Death has knocked on my own mother's door
and I wish I had spent more time with her
appreciated what I once had more
Instead of always promising, “One day”

“One day!” “Someday!”
“Delayed gratification is the key!”
I often said — but say that now again to me(!)
now that I see life's not like wine
that ages endlessly — and realize
that not all that is finite is a trap — for I
have let life go(!) and pass me by...

You were not right.

You've been so reckless that I worry how you're doing now
but maybe I, today, can understand
even a bit of your indulgent life

Maybe I can now learn to love
that which is fleeting but holds worth,
no longer let life pass me by,
or let my “someday” haunt “today”

So I'll take time to smell the flowers

And choose to pause to feel the breeze

Because tonight, I love not just my future
but just as well my radiant fleeting present
the sunset that I'm blessed to see right now
the life that I am blessed to live right now

Andrea Vitan

# data[].attributes.body
The day fades into darkness,

the stars come out to dance.

The city begins its slumber,

while I begin to wake.

Noise of the people, the honk of the cars.

The alarm sounds -- time to work.

I catch the whiff of your shampoo,

a mixture of jasmine and lilacs.

There you lie, sleeping soundly,

your tiredness shown through your snores.

I kiss you softly on the forehead,

you smiles softly, your face relaxes.

Adjusting my eyes to the darkness,

I hear the toast of glasses next door.

Ah, a celebration of some sorts.

A promotion perhaps, since they've decided to bring out the drinks.

Pressed and clean, my suit hangs by the door.

Bathe, shave, and brush; a routine I have memorized by heart.

A click of a button, my food is warmed.

Heaven knows I can't cook for life.

As I wait for the "ding!" of the microwave,

Taking out my phone, I wait for the Apple to load;

expecting the continuous vibrations to follow.

What memories will I see today?

Flooding the screen -- numerous messages, pictures, and tweets;

but I only have one name in mind,

you, who is just a few steps away,

the one who matters the most.

Pictures are the first thing I encounter.

To others, your pictures are the usual mainstream photos.

To me, they are precious treasures that make up for lost time.

Things that I know are meant for me.

Captioned with "If only you cooked as well as I do!" are your food masterpieces.

Smiling, I can only imagine how proud you were.

I marvel at the thought of eating your creations,

excited more than ever now for the microwave to finish heating.

Your outfits are simple and plain, yet you yourself, make it stunning.

You beams at the camera, your smile lights up even the darkest of rooms.

It tugs at my heart and now I think,

your beauty will be the death of me.

Messages are my next exploration.

Seven in the morning, your usual greeting:

"Good mornight!" Adorable, aren't you?

Twelve noon, you share your lunch, not a single detail spared.

I pause from my adventure,

a break from your stories.

My smile turns upside down,

my heart aches with sadness.

When was the last time we went to the movies together?

How many times did we have a proper conversation,

without the other one falling asleep?

Why, are we like this?

As I wade in my despair, my phone vibrates.

I check the source of the message, my breath hitches.

A name so rare,

I thought it was merely an illusion.

Turning around, I face you.

Your hair all messy, yet pretty;

you sleepily smile at me.

Motioning to the phone -- you wanted me to read it.

On the screen, it said:

"You are my sunlight, as I am your moon.

Not a second goes by, that I don't think of you.

Our schedules, I hate them as much as you do."

"Rather than focusing,

on the time we've lost;

why not treasure,

the little moments we share."

"There will come a day,

when we will unite once more.

Just be patient, my love,

and as I always say: I will love you, forevermore."

How forgetful have I been,

to have forgotten such a thing.

Looking around in the dark,

instead of looking up towards to the light.

The day will come again,

when the sun and moon will unite once again.

But until then, I continue to look to the sky,

waiting once more for another eclipse.

# data[].attributes.body
With what the typhoon brought to your people

I believe that the Lord will guide my soul

To help the fallen

And work with you

Despite our differences

With your tiny, orange hands

And my blessed ones

We will put them together, and work as one

I will pray for your people

And the Lord shall grace us

We will work hard

And may the Lord bless our actions

No matter what may happen

We shall not curse the Lord

For this is His doing,

and we must accept it

# data[].attributes.body
The clouds swept over

The tall trees that reached the heavens

I sat in the garden

On a chair tainted with rust

A cold summer breeze blew

Like it was winter

The rising sun painted the sky

With a million indescribable shades

The Spanish-styled house sat on a cliff

As if it was watching over the town below

I wondered if

I would ever be lucky enough to see this view again

by Astrud Ulili

# data[].attributes.body
From the time you opened your eyes,

I could hear the passion in your cries.

Our mother's heart was filled with joy,

until slowly your sweet cries started to annoy.

We would come to many disagreements,

but it would seize my unending laments.

Although neither of us would know,

our love for each other would start to grow.

You broke my selfie light,

on that one fateful night.

I asked you why you had the nerve,

from all my questions you tried to swerve.

You must not overreact I say,

you tell me everything will be okay.

It was not only my light you broke,

my anger you were also able to provoke.

Our mother's anger she could not contain,

this experience in our heart's would surely stain.

In your screams I heard extreme pain,

I had to save you my sister, my main.

Although it's in these times,

when you commit crimes,

a criminal dressed with bouncy curls,

disguised as an innocent little girl.

It's in times when we disgree,

that truly wholeheartedly I see,

and you without a doubt prove to me,

indeed you are the sister for me.

When you fall and scape your knee,

I'll always be there for you, see.

I'll be there to help you back up on your feet,

a smile you will bring to everyone you greet.

The lollipops you get from being a good student,

your hard work shows that you are oh so prudent.

A smile your high marks always bring,

with joy my heart starts to sing.

You admire me in many ways,

at times I wonder is it a phase?

Then I realize your love for me is forever,

our sisterhood bond is a lifelong endeavor.

Please always remember,

my dearest little sister,

that you need no clue,

to know that I will always love you.

# data[].attributes.body
It is when the  doors are slammed close for me
That your arms are open, ever ready
That the most intense part of your body
You unzip immediately, to tell me
"It's fine , that's how life is supposed to be"

It is when my hands are surely shaky
That the warmth of your externality
Penetrates each and every artery
Serving as my cure, as my therapy
Having me dwell, dwell in continuity

It is when what carry me are trembly
From any position, I can not flee
Any scars of mine, you'll carry solely
You won't care if they're in plurality
For you, what's urgent is my victory

It's when even chief details are blurry
And I slowly turn to be an awry
That you employ your voice to usher me
Out of the umbra where I stay wretchedly
You usher me back to integrity

It is when the doors are slammed close for me
It is when my hands are surely shaky
It is when what carry me are trembly
It's when even chief details are blurry
I see, the living proof of true love's thee

# data[].attributes.body
In the dead of night or In the break of dawn,

Regardless of the time, people are always drawn

Hearts in joy upon hearing

Tunes that are soothing and pleasing.

Through its melodies moving around me,

From worries and problems, i am set free.

With notes that can bring happiness

Yet, can also bring sadness.

Words that tell tales

Of how hearts wail.

From love bugs to heartbreaks,

From sandy beaches to snowflakes.

Colors that paint the world

To its soft whispers people danced and twirled

Uniting every color, race, amd nationality,

Reminds us that we are a family.

# data[].attributes.body
You are the air I breathe,

The one who keeps me going,

You are the sleep I need,

The one I love without knowing.

You would spend a lifetime just to wait for me,

When here I am having no time for you,

But thank you truly for waiting for me,

Since now I'm certain your love is true,

You mean so much to me,

To imagine a world without you,

A world where love isn't free,

A world where love isn't true.

I wish we could be together for the rest of our lives,

But cruelly I know time would need to take you away,

So while you're still with me I'll value even our nights,

Hopefully I'd be prepared to lose you someday.

So when our time together comes to an end

When it's time for you to leave me be,

I'll hope you'll wait for me my friend,

I hope up there I can say you'll be happier without me.

# data[].attributes.body
I talk to someone silent

I call, but he stays quiet

I ask for help, he does not speak

I worry, stress and fret

Although I do not see him,

The many things he does

Proves that he's beside me,

He answers me with love

I hear from them his teachings

And stories of good deeds

They teach me how to live

With kindness, truth and peace

On frightening, evil nights

He is a burning fire

He comforts me with warmth

And makes my dark world brighter

Although I stray and hurt him,

His arms are open for me

Despite my doubts and cruelty

He waits and searches for me

When all my problems strike me

And I cannot go on

He rests me on his back

Until I stand up strong

I break under the bricks,

I fall, I bruise, I cry

But his unseen hand wipes my tears,

He whispers “It will be alright”

When I'm unsure and lost

And standing at a crossroad

He is my map and compass

Who shows me the way home

He has a plan for me, that's why

He put me on this earth

He knows what I can and must do

He lets me know my worth

He gives me light, and so I'll smile

He lifts me up, and so I'll stand

He makes me strong, and so I'll fight

With him around, I know I can

His actions keep me going

He urges me to live

This life, I'll live with gratitude

Good deeds and praise, I'll give

I talk to someone silent

He does not make a sound

And yet I see and hear his love

In his works, he has been found

# data[].attributes.body
The happiness on their faces

Me, going places

A feeling held so dear

Is something that I fear

The thought of their chagrin

Anything I do, can become a sin

I quake as I think

Everything positive, changing in a blink

My future, yes!

What keeps me going, even when life is a mess

My family, my friends

Hoping that everything good never ends

I stay motivated

All bad thoughts exterminated

I hope for the best

Strictly good thoughts in my head and my chest

Perhaps I can stop

Turn all of these things into a flop

No, I must stay strong

Hold my ground, do what is right not wrong

Be assertive

Hardworking, kind, creative

Stay focused

Don't listen to lies, that hocus pocus

Be strong and confident

Be bright, be fluorescent

Be your own star

I can go far

I can do this,

This opportunity I cannot miss

Do this for you, for me, for my family

Do this, and be the best you can ever be

# data[].attributes.body
I am still waiting

For people I have yet to meet

Anticipating

The faces I have never seen

My old reputation

Will have vanished into nothing

My past perceptions

Will soon begin disappearing

I do not have to

Sit in this cold, lifeless body

My past self, adieu

My soul leaves that carbon copy

But, there's a problem

This is merely what I dream for

Myself to become

The tides that roar on the beach shore

# data[].attributes.body
There lives a lady named Millet,

who somehow met a man named Roy.

He really really liked fish fillet

and she thought, at first, he was a toy.

But by some kind of twist of fate,

an imaginary magnet pulled them together.

They just realized this really late;

they had a love that would last forever.

Such a blessed year, nineteen ninety-two;

explosions of confetti and tears of joy.

Wedding bells clang; cheers of joy for this lovely two.

A year later, they were blessed with a little baby boy.

Ten years past, another bundle of joy!

A precious baby girl, they rejoiced with glee!

But wait, two years more and then, another boy.

With him, thus completes their children of three.

They raised them as good as a child should be

taught them the basics; learning their nursery rhymes,

singing ABC, counting from one to three,

creating colorful skies and how to tell the time.

Merely assisting them but letting these babes walk on their own,

they created a path, made and paved just for them.

Being children, they would often stray off and roam;

but it's fine, they are our point B, we will always find our way to them.

These babies grew and grew and grew

into magnificent, intelligent people they are now.

Oh, they said, how time flew!

They are simply astounding, and they keep on wondering how.

As the years continue to go by and the path goes stretches on,

my parents will continue to be the lighthouse of my family of five.

No matter what misadventures my siblings and I may embark on,

they are our guiding arrows, all throughout our entire lives.

- Romina Letaba

# data[].attributes.body
Blessed is the man who

sings his daughters to sleep

Blessed is the man who

chooses good fruit to reap

Amor fati in his retirement,

grant this honest man

a life in which he will never lament

and grandchildren he will meet in his lifespan

Heaven won't wait for anything else

than a man who loves through his actions

heaven has wished for him on wishing wells

though sleep for him is too much of a distraction

Please rest, my heart's about to fall off my chest

you've worked hard, it's time to kick back

Please rest, you've inspired me to do my best

with your guidance I'm on the right track

# data[].attributes.body
It's another morning , a morning of sluggishness

And all that enters my mind are the images

Of last nights battle with multifold of stress

And all the people that call me I answer

With eyes that are fluttery

In dire need of energy ,I get my green coffee

It's lunch time and as I face my buffalo calzone with excitement

I overheard a girl delivering her lengthy lament

About how big her body is, about how heavy she could be

And abruptly it hit me ,I have to achieve my weight category

So I get my green coffee

Its a rainy afternoon, and it feels like I'm in ice

I'm wrapped in a thick blanket but this does not suffice

And as I lay , I think of what could give heat to  my body

And it enters my memory, Ill drink some green tea

Afer minutes of waiting , of anticipating

Finally from it, I took a sip

Oh , what a warmth it provides me

A kind of warmth that flows deeply, deeply through my body

It is dinner time and I am busy

Busy perfecting my favorite recipe

I tasted the recipe to figure out the flavor's scarcity

And I wonder , what did I forget?

Oh , I forgot to add some mystery,

I forgot to add some green pea

And the perfect igado is ready

And I called on everybody

" Kuya Larry, mommy and daddy"

And we ate the hearty meal, literally

And I realized that,

You are my green coffee

that keeps my eyes' openability

When gravity seems to play with me

And pull my eyelids downwardly , harshly

And snatches from me the ability to see

You are my green coffee

That reminds to be me of best quality

Sometimes I have to lose my pride

And disremember the best in me

Specially in times when the hardest word to say is sorry

You are my green tea

With that warmth of your breathe

As you utter words to rescue me from being cold-blooded

When life attacks violently and I'm not ready

And the only ad-lib to strength is having no mercy

But the  warmth of your breathe

Can always melt the extra thick layers I have built around me

You are my green pea

And I'm a disoriented puzzle with a missing peace

And that piece, you are always ready to be

Guiding me towards unlocking my obscurity

And you are green to me

A hope  , that hole where light passes

When all that surrounds me is darkness

Someone who takes me away from restlessness

And when all that make my heart jump dwindle

But you, daddy, who always , who always stays with me.

# data[].attributes.body
It's another morning , a morning of sluggishness
And all that enters my mind are the images
Of last nights battle with multifold of stress
And all the people that call me I answer
With eyes that are fluttery
In dire need of energy ,I get my green coffee

It's lunch time and as I face my buffalo calzone with excitement
I overheard a girl delivering her lengthy lament
About how big her body is, about how heavy she could be
And abruptly it hit me ,I have to achieve my weight category
So i get my green coffee

Its a rainy afternoon, and it feels like im in ice
Im wrapped in a thick blanket but this does not suffice
And as I lay , I think of what could give heat to  my body
And it enters my memory, Ill drink some green tea

Afer minutes of waiting , of anticipating
Finally from it, I took a sip
Oh , what a warmth it provides me
A kind of warmth that flows deeply, deeply through my body

It is dinner time and I am busy
Busy perfecting my favorite recipe
I tasted the recipe to figure out the flavor's scarcity
And I wonder , what did I forget?
Oh , I forgot to add some mystery,
I forgot to add some green pea

And the perfect igado is ready
And I called on everybody
" Kuya Larry, mommy and daddy"
And we ate the hearty meal, literally

And I realized that,

You are my green coffee
that keeps my eyes' openability
When gravity seems to play with me
And pull my eyelids downwardly , harshly
And snatches from me the ability to see
You are my green coffee
That reminds to be me of best quality
Sometimes I have to lose my pride
And disremember the best in me
Specially in times when the hardest word to say is sorry

You are my green tea
With that warmth of your breath
As you utter words to rescue me from being cold-blooded
When life attacks violently and I'm not ready
And the only ad-lib to strength is having no mercy
But the  warmth of your breathe
Can always melt the extra thick layers I have built around me

You are my green pea
And I'm a disoriented puzzle with a missing peace
And that peace, you are always ready to be
Guiding me towards unlocking my obscurity

And you are green to me
A hope  , that hole where light passes
When all that surrounds me is darkness
Someone who takes me away from restlessness
And when all that make my heart jump dwindle
But you, daddy, who always , who always stays with me.

# data[].attributes.body
The early sunrise wakes me up today

Compelling me to rise and start my work

And though in peaceful rest I want to stay

My rules, routines, and plans outweigh that wish

The early sunrise brightens up today

It warms my soul and makes the flowers bloom

And for the beauty brought by golden rays

I wake and choose delightfully to live

The early sunrise brings about today

The possibilities of what could be

And all the dreams of “what if” and “someday”

Push me to make the most out of my life

The early sunrise makes me seize each day

And love its guide, its beauty, and its hope

Giving to me my purpose every day

Direction and ambition I live for

Andrea Vitan

# data[].attributes.body
I tell myself you annoy me

I try to convince myself that that’s it

Though I know that honestly,

it’s just because you somehow

always seem endearing in my eyes

and sometimes out of the chaos you cause within me

i feel like i’d give you the world in an instant

(but how can i, when that’s what you already are to me?)

you’re irritatingly good at using words clearly

at exerting who knows how much effort

at being confident and observant

and (for goodness’s sake) at so many other things

you do better than me

like making me feel alive

(how the bloody hell do you do that?)

and that annoys (exhilaratingly inebriates) me

you’re the beautifully written poem

that lowers my self-esteem

you’re the catchy song i find really weird

but gets stuck in my head nonetheless

you’re the coffee rush that keeps me too energetic

at 2am on a weekday “morning”

you’re the sparkler candle i’m so deathly afraid of

but so fascinated and smitten with

and because of you, my heart is a jar

of twinkling fireflies trying to get out

because of you, my soul is a firework rocket

shooting up swiftly and exploding brilliantly

because of you, i’m a hummingbird full of life

gleefully soaring across vibrant sun-kissed fields

because of the rose-tinted glasses you gave me,

i am shallowly, obsessively, annoyingly in love

i tell myself you annoy me

i try to convince myself that that’s it

though I know that honestly,

it’s just because you somehow

always seem endearing in my eyes

and sometimes out of the chaos you cause within me

i feel like i’d give you the world in an instant

(but how can i, when that’s what you already are to me?)

Andrea Vitan

# data[].attributes.body
On an island of Stars I sat curiously
Thirsting for discovery and adventure
Between the dampened land, with all its rough pebbles and sand,
And the window-like mirror that was the water

I waited in the shallows, surrounded by playful waves
While the wind flew about and embraced me
The gentle but cold air kissed my skin
And carried the fresh scent of the salty sea

Under the blue whiteless sky, I explored the long shore
As I swam among seaweed hair and broken stones
But on the floor that was covered with marbled light
The dead corals turned into things unusual and unknown

Little coins and circles as pale as new parchment
With engravements of exotic, five-petaled flowers,
Sat fragile and light in the care of my palm
As if a mere breath could shatter its smooth surface

I stared at them in wonder
At these aliens from who knows where
Are these traces of creatures yet to be found?
Or pieces of history that must be shared?

“Great Scott!” my inner scientist cried
These are fossils of those that have been erased from the earth's surface
the currency of a land long forgotten
or the beads of an ancient princess' necklace

My eyes were wide with excitement
As bright as the sunniest day was my smile
My heart pounded with the fast beat of a giant drum,
My mind raced with ideas that could go on for miles

I was an amateur Indiana Jones, an archaeologist in training
Who found something I never knew about but always wanted to call mine
In that moment I was special and I saw my name in headlines
“An Ordinary Girl makes Extraordinary Find”

But it was only in those few minutes that I believed what I saw
For years later I found out their true identities
They were mere shells, the shed homes of sea biscuits,
Creatures that have already been discovered and studied

I was no longer a hero, nor famous, nor special
But that was a glimpse of a future me
I was not born a royal or a clever mastermind
But we must remember that the extraordinary were once ordinary

Everyone is capable of what the great ones do
No one was born more powerful or less than the other
We have the same abilities all to be soon revealed
What we wait for now is that eventful hour

# data[].attributes.body
We are birds of the same nest.

You hatched long before me.

But when it was time for me to leave my egg,

You were there for my first tweet.

From then on we stayed together,

Ate our parents’ earned food side by side.

Your pretty face you made funny to give me laughter.

Your sweet angelic voice sang past lullabies

And now I sing along with you in every verse.

You were the best in the learning tree,

You soared high with your intelligence and determination so true.

And when the time came, you developed your wings

and with the brightest colors you flew.

Then you had your first catch, your first flight, your first everything.

Oh, you were (and still) so amazing, that I wanted to be just like you.

But I am still a nestling, a chick,

Trying to stand on my own wobbly feet,

Trying to not get swayed by the wind,

Soaked by the rain, or knocked out by the heat.

I am afraid to face the outside world and take risks

But you are wise because once, you were a baby bird like me

So your knowledge, comfort and guidance you give.

When I need help, you teach me.

Your wisdom and cheers let me strongly stand.

When I am low and scared, you comfort me.

Your soft tender wings give me protection, you're someone who understands.

When my fragile body fails me

And cannot reach my dreams and plans,

When I don't achieve what you achieved, you strengthen me

And let me know that I am incredible and capable just the way I am.

You are still the same, but you're not always around like before.

You've spread your wings, you're much older now.

You leave the nest, stay out long, hunt for us and explore

But you still come back tonight or tomorrow.

Someday, alone I will have to soar.

I'll stand at the edge and stare, unsure and with sorrow

But you will be there to guide me as I face this new world.

Wherever you lead me, I will faithfully follow.

Although the winds may separate us, you'll always find a way to see me.

Your wisdom, songs and love will always be beside me.

This love that I've felt since before,

That has been present since my birth,

And will be with me forever

Is the love of my dear sister.

Thank you.

I love you.

# data[].attributes.body
We were born a decade apart,

ten years far yet here we are.

Two pieces of wood glued together;

unbroken chopsticks, stuck together forever.

When I was learning my abc's

you were a walking dictionary for me.

When I was learning my one, two, three's

you were my personal calculator, the smartest kid to me.

You were a kite, soaring through the sky

sailing past other kites, they stare in awe as you fly by.

A magnificent butterfly, gracefully floating around;

I was a caterpillar, wanting to imitate you, to also astound.

In this valley of daisies, you are the sole sunflower reaching for the sun.

Come rain or shine, you endure the harsh weathers, just to get the job done.

When the night arrives, you transform into an owl who stays up all night studying;

and sometimes you smell kind of funny, and turns out you didn't do some showering.

As time flew by, I strived to become like you.

I was, and still am, a wobbly kite and butterfly, trying to fly too.

You became my wind, lifting and guiding through the vast sky;

you are my mentor, teaching me how to survive this funny thing we call life.

Of course, as siblings always do, we will bicker and fight;

arguing about petty things all throughout the night.

But as a new dawn breaks, we realize our mistakes;

we apologize and embrace, because a hug is all that it takes.

I am the turtle and you are the hare,

I'm just about to start and you're already half way there.

The only difference is that you stopped to wait for me to catch up;

shouting and cheering for me along the way, even though I knew I was the runner-up.

As I venture out onto the road set before me,

I will stumble and fall, maybe scrape my knee.

I might forget my umbrella, and cry in the rain;

but I know you will be there to wash away my pain.

You tell me to get up and to continue on,

you tell me that that scrape will soon heal and be gone.

A little rain never hurt anyone, you say;

instead dance with joy and smile all throughout the day.

I keep all the wisdom and knowledge you pass on in the corner of my mind,

I'll make sure to use them whenever I'm in a bind.

You will always be my oldest friend, dear brother.

The Tom to my Jerry, the Clyde to my Bonnie; together forever.

-Romina Letaba

# data[].attributes.body
Him

A blessing that looked like a curse

Each day, my attitude got worse

I never saw you as a possible friend,

Yet your love for me didn’t end.

You were the earth the man took for granted,

All the things I carelessly demanded

But here you were, silently obeying

For it was alright for you as long as I was happily playing.

Years went by, and I got older

As we grew wiser, we also got closer

My lawyer against our parents,

You became my assurance.

Though you’re now a weekend show seen once a week

I promise, my love for that show won’t go weak.

A show I have no interest in, I’ll always pretend

But I admit, I pray for it not to end.

If you ever need something to make you stronger,

Here’s something you can remember:

The person that I look up to

Is, and will always be, you.