A brave being, dying a martyr

Oh, what courage to fight

Who once was strong and firm,
Now lain and pitied

A gladiator, a warrior
Is he truly a fighter, a hero?

To the eyes of people, is he a hero or a fool?

Fought for what he believed in,
Did he die in vain?

Is it really the mind of people?

Those who wear capes and robes are the warriors,

And the naked, dying; a nobody?
Praises, given by audience 

is nothing to a real heart of a warrior
But a silent whisper to the ear 

but at the same time,

bursting with expression.

It's difficult to comprehend

the vagueness of her gaze.

The cheeky girl,

with her brazen stare,

her perfect facade;

pear and apple-blossom cheeks

naturally, was an unfathomable description;

Of her plain fleshiness

drably golden and her lips

were honey sea, drawn slightly apart

Caught in a single gasp,

the treasure unsnapped,

the beaming of the pearl,

perched on her ear,

flashing like a javelin,

will leave you captivated.

She breathes my soul, 
loving her was loving art
untangible, but was the only feeling 
that ever felt real 

Sorrow, pain and tears you can hear.

Troubles that I wanted to share, 

I can’t because of fear.

Soundless sleep every eve, 

That I wish I could have.

Will I share my story?

So I can rest without worries.

But then, I realized

I can rest for a while.

I’ll let my dreams handle my pain,

And will fall asleep until it’s gone.

Dreams that made my pain gone for a bit,

Dreams that made me want to escape from reality.

Pain that will strengthen me,

I will lie in my bed until I'm free.

Evangelista, Ma. Cassandra Yzabhelle J.

All I can feel is my whole body’s boundless pain

All I know is that I am dying in vain

Oh, I just lost every single thing I have gained!

My whole life was as hard as a rock

For all these times, the clock tick-tocks,

And now, I just realized

All the paths were blocked

This may be due to my foolishness

All the time, my mind was locked

It is true, I was clearly confused

Now, I am bruised

No matter how reckless I am

Accept this illumination and be my man!

Do not let yourself get pulled!

Be the Noah of this arc, 

Be the one who carries the people,

Lift them from their suffering, pain and defeat

Do not let anyone kick the bucket with regrets!

- Made by Dustine Andrei E. Cabungcal (9-Campos)
--Inspired by Juan Luna's Painting, "Spoliarium"

the night came crawling in

the wind was an endless lullaby

her mind, continuously pouring in

her thoughts kept her alive

yet made her dead inside

oh, starry night, what an irony it is

to be trapped inside a human mind

in the starry, starry night

darkness was the only hue in sight

the stars that lit that night

was her only comfort light

oh starry, starry night

what a strange wonderland

to be found and 

to be lost again

samantha heart carlos - 9 campos

Beneath sheets, in your dreams,

Sedated by creeping addictive greens,

Rooted thorns showing that it’s not what it seems.

Near above it’ll always hover,

While you lay peacefully under your covers.

See the beauty it brings with flowers 

Or fear its grim purpose and horror.

Scares that are usually spread

Are about what lies under your bed,

But it’s truly of what’s above your head,

Anticipating for when you’ll be dead.

Fear not, it only awaits to give you rest.

After an entire existence of doing your best,

It brings a reward of demise to your nest.

At last, all your sorrow, it’ll harvest.

- Elaijah Louhreyn Mijares

Colors of ocean and lemonade.

These kept switching places… until replaced,

by a huge, grotesque image.

I didn’t shout,

didn’t find my way out.

Oh, frightened is an understatement,

but I was always seen as that kid

who probes for what’s hidden,

Fierce, thrilled, impatient.

This kid despised themself,

What was the reason?

Why is it that I choose

to always go after the pitch black lines,

Concealed behind the flickering orbs,

and dark green emerald vines

Yet the ethereal beauty,

Seen at first hand,

Made in exchange

to hide the ache of what’s been done,

Is always taken for granted?

Admitting that I was fierce, thrilled, impatient.

But above all,

I was fascinated.

- Hanah Lianne G. Robles || 9 - Banzon

Bursting colors transpired; coruscation of light

An artist from above has created life

He put his trust to humankind
But out of wrath, they stained his land
Terror and violence frightened the skies
Blooded land full of cries

What has happened to our ties?
The same kind should unite
How ironic when
Same kind will slay your life

Full of complexity, humankind it is 
But in harmony we shall all live!

Here I am,
Surrounded by the dim and dolor
In depths of despair, I still chose to look above
Beyond the darkish blue sky
Seeking for the light,
Seeking for the beauty of his canvas
Waiting for the breeze to once more dulcify

Yana Cassandra Santos
9 - Campos

Such a beautiful sight

The bright lights of moon and stars 

Brings life to the darkness of the night

Stars are shining and the moon is glowing

Is this his way of telling us there’s hope even if life’s challenging? 

“Looking at the stars always makes me dream” the painter said

 Oh the anticipation it brings to anyone who seeks for success

Emotions are bursting when admiring this painting

Looking at the dark cypress tree in the foreground 

Makes me reminisce the mistakes I’ve made in the past

Yet it has lessons which helped me grow to the person I am today

Oh starry night

So comforting to see

It might be a simple painting for the others

But it holds lots of meanings for the admirers 

On the night in the starry sky

Surrounded by the shimmering clouds

And a tree draped with the vines               

A mirror of the city of lighting

The orange moon that is reflective

Yet, there is a different effect in the sky

The beautiful scenery of the sparkling skies

The stars are bright, the eyes of the night are twinkling

It glows so fair, like an illuminated lagoon

In spite of all of this,

It looks as quiet and beautiful

This town is strange, and it has darkness around it

Marin, Kian Kristoff Allen B.
9-Banzon 

Her eyes are sparkling like her love for gloam

Waiting forbearingly,

To reach her way home

Lessons that were myriad

Love in her lips

Moonlight in her skin

Courage on her nose

Yes, It is her best-loved headdress

It is the language of her

Her mother put on a new pair of earrings to her

Remarkable pearl earrings to her

She walked in an inky road,

Inky road that will never ever last

Bitterness of the history, 

That helps her to grow

One day, she got up from all of the darkness

She finally found her happiness

She turned around and said

“Don’t stay where you are indispensable

Go where you are cherished”.

- Carpio, Darisse Angela D.
9 - Banzon

My love for you will never end,

I promise my dear son

I will watch and search for you among the stars in the sky

Until the day where the world will let us meet again.

Iris Nicole C. Santos | 9- Banzon

And there are times when we get stuck

When we feel like giving up

When everything just doesn’t feel right

I look up at the sky during night time

It’s as if the stars has lost its every spark

Like how I lost hope in life

That’s why I keep my head down, away from the world

And keep every tear and sniffle to myself

But everytime I do, there’s always someone calling my name

I hear the words of encouragement directed at me

And as I finally lift my head up, I see the light that shines brightly

leading me to the true happiness I was looking for

After lifting my head up, I was able to see the outside world

The world I was keeping myself away from

I saw that even in the darkest times at night

Light can still be found anywhere, shining brightly

Leading me to the right path after getting lost in the dark

Falling down doesn’t mean stopping

It should be a sign to stand up once again and keep walking

To look at the world that was once dark

Made bright and happy by the people around you who will never leave your side.

Benitez, Vhin Diezell C.
9-Banzon

With tokens of luck above the ocean sky

Mountains swaying under the everlasting wind

Grasses and trees dancing, beautiful indeed

Towns overlooking your beauty

Floating gold with a few shades of yellow

Luck that is impermanent

Just like how metal floats on water

Oh starry night, beautiful indeed

The beauty that is addictive

Yet the beauty that is dark

Oh strands of hair dominating your beauty

Hair that is black, like the darkness after joy

The prosperity you give to the town

The prosperity that will be swallowed by the darkness

Luck that is impermanent

Just like how metal floats on water

Gutierrez, Isaiah Claren D.
9-Campos

An act of love and longing

For someone that long time missing

Even death cannot force to stop

To be with someone He love

He will guide you while missing you

Spending the afterlife looking at you

Making sure you’re deep asleep

Every night. So, don’t you weep 

He will protect you even in your dream

Watch you, guide you and catch you

Will not let anything bothers you

In your peaceful sleep, he’s with you

Nicodemus, Allyza Neomi D. || 9-Banzon

For in this vast sea,

I was the only one that was caught

The colors of your clothing constantly remind me of a sunset beach

The Moon waiting for the Sun to come down,

Calm water and foam in the end,

Sand that greets people with such warmth

But for now my dear, I must go

Fear not, as the blue waves can not destroy the hidden chest inside me

Your mysterious eyes stand out more than the Bermuda
Your earrings will overshadow the glow of a lanternfish and a moonlit night

One last look until we part

As you turn back and leave,

I saw a scenery that I will never forget.

Inspiration: Girl With a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

Goli Cruz, Russel Sean H.              9 Banzon

 

What a peaceful night

The sky filled with lights

Full of stars that shines bright

What a beauty in the sight

 

Sky so blue

Like an ocean so blue

Swirling winds that gives cold breeze

 

The peaceful village

Will be a good image

Of this beautiful sights

In this peaceful night

 

Look in the beautiful sky

Is like a peaceful dream

That gently amazed your eyes

In this peaceful night full of lights

 

Painting: Starry night by Vincent van gogh

Gregorio, Elijah Ken R.
9-Banzon

 

Little town, let the silence be the witness to the skies you’re under 

Neither the blowing wind nor the biting cold will let you see 

That the stars shine bright over a river of wonder 

When the sea of clouds slumber beyond the mountain waves 

When your pavements are dark and empty, while the breeze causes a shiver 

When the light from windows shut, what a different town it would be 

Yet the light from the starry night always remembers 

Even after the shrubs and branches of trees would sway 

To the brilliant spectacle that gives the blue sky meaning and color 

For the mind, you will forever be known as a mystery 

For every stroke, you brush away tears and horrors

For people in the town living in sorrow and pain

Mella, Melhanie D.
9 - Campos

There is someone who cries

For every tears that drips

There are feelings equipped

Each person has their part

But some dies at the start

Start of doing what’s right

Death for us to rewrite

Rewrite our own story

Learn from our history

Counter those who conquer

And rise for our honor

Don’t just stand there and watch

Nor cry, panic and dodge

Learn to do what is right

In darkness, start a light

-Roxas, Therenze Johannes B.
9 Campos

/  Fictional POV of the Girl With a Pearl Earring /
Written by: Rosamia Ang
Artwork by: Johannes Vermeer 

Floor the bodies laid

Tossed in the dark

Stripped of worth and full of pain

Fallen and left to die

With a muted sound of cry

Cheering Crowd screaming for blood

Love ones mourned for the unbearable sight 

until darkness succumbed and hope died

Yes, you were the fallen, 

The weak and the forgotten

But you could be somebody's father,

mother or a brother

They paid the price 

The crime, they did not commit

I walk, quietly with purpose

Here... In this place 

Halfway between life and death

Simon, Erica S.