I wish I was

I wish I was brave enough to love you
I didn’t plunge in, now I will not know
You’ve hanged around and now my life is blue
You’ve asked and I wasn’t bold enough though
Somehow I didn’t really think it through
Never knowing what it brings tomorrow
And so life goes on and I wonder why
I watch the passers-by and I say bye*

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

* A Ottava Rima is a poem written in 8-line octives. Each line is of a 10 or 11 syllable count in the following rhyme:

one octive poem. abababcc

Written for November Notes hosted by two lovely and awesome writers, Rosema of A Reading Writer and Sarah of Heartstring Eulogies. Come, join the musical fun!

Also for: NaNoPoblano Day 17

Out of my league

you
are the one
you’re there and I’m here
so high I cannot reach you
it’s impossible to get
love you from afar
keep dreaming
me

love
is quite tough
I know you’re the one
come what may and high waters
we’re so different you and I
I’m out of your league
frustrating
tough*

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

* The Joseph’s Star, a poetry form created by Christina R Jussaume on 08/06/07 in memory of her Dad. This poem has no rhyme, and is written according to syllable counts. Syllables are 1, 3, 5, 7, 7, 5, 3, and 1. The poem may be written on any subject, be center aligned, has no stanza limit, and should have complete statements in each line.

Written for November Notes hosted by two lovely and awesome writers, Rosema of A Reading Writer and Sarah of Heartstring Eulogies. Come, join the musical fun!

Also for: NaNoPoblano Day 12

Kundiman

Isang awit mula sa kanya at ako ay umibig
O ang pag-ibig, maaari kong sabihin sa iyo sa detalye
Parang narinig ko ang malambing na kanta ng isang ibon
Katulad ng pagiging suspendido sa isang mataas na swing
Pakiramdam ko ay pwedeng lumipad tulad ng isang tutubi o paruparu
Nakakita ang talon sa unang pagkakataon
Gusto kong umakyat at bumaba katulad ng isang siso
Tubig kumukutitaptap tulad ng diamante
Gusto kong isigaw sa mundo at magdiwang
Walang hadlang , walang pagtitimpi , puno ng ligaya
Laging mabulaklak, parang ipoipong panliligaw
Alam ko siya ay laging naroon bilang aking sandalan
Iyan ang kapangyarihan ng pag-ibig
Hanggang tayo ay maging iisa na lang

One song from him and I’m in love
Oh to be in love, I can tell you in detail
Hearing the melodious song of a nightingale
It’s like being suspended in a swing as high
Feeling able to fly like a dragonfly or butterfly
Seeing the waterfall for the first time in awe
I want to go up and down the same as a seesaw
Water glimmering like diamonds and so great
I want to convey to the world and celebrate
No barrier, no strap, no holding back, just full of zip
Everything’s rosy, always like a whirlwind courtship
I know he’s always there serving as my anchor
Such is the power of being in love
When we become one unit and above

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Word-High July: Kundiman and Late Night Playlist

Family ~ Pic and a Word Challenge #46

Look at this black and white photo
Golden anniversary of our grandparents
We were all there, some not even born
Most of them were not with us anymore
And so with this in mind, my homage

Tatay was my idol, a great reader
Died of Parkinson’s disease, still reading
He put the meanings of the difficult words
Wrote them in pencils at the side of books

Nanay, still beautiful in her old age
Long wavy hair, deaf as a post
Her cooking, shall we say, creative
Mixing things we normally don’t mixed

Tia Carol and Tio Fred, both in heaven
Both doctors, humble as pies
Good storytellers, took life leisurely
Spoke the dialect I cannot understand

Tio Alex, bless his soul, only brother
Worked in Customs, good looking
Tia Ludy, still with us, still elegant
Brought the kids on her own

My Mum, my darling mother
Pregnant with our youngest brother
My Dad, I still miss him, now gone
Memories in our hearts and souls

All siblings and cousins
Now all with own families
We used to play together
Our own family portrait

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

Photographs and memories
Of many moons ago
When ancestors were still here
Telling us stories of what they had
Of histories and struggles
Of freedom and hope
My parents when they were 18
Young love, of faiths and dreams
Our family on our grandparents’ day
Celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
With all the children and grandchildren
A photo with my siblings and our Mom
The youngest not even born yet
And me when I was five, as a queen
One dancing the Hawaiian dance
And one with my Dad pinning my medal

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Family ~ Pic and a Word Challenge #46 by Patrick Jennings

Marahuyo

TELL ME I’M YOUR BELLE FOREVERMORE

Speak to me like there’s no tomorrow
Lead me to the light of hope
Tell me I’m your belle forevermore
Let’s have an exchange so I can cope

Kiss me like when we were in Paris
As we viewed Monet’s garden
I’m your belle forevermore, tell me
Strolled along the Seine like in heaven

We drink to our health and consenting
We count our blessing as well
Tell me I’m your belle forevermore
Like lavender, daisies and bluebell

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Word-High July: Marahuyo

Generation – Daily Prompt

Good day everyone! I loved my grandparents. My granddad or Tatay as I called him, was a very clever and educated man. He read a lot and that was were I got this habit of reading. When I visited him, there would always be some books that he was reading or had read and he wanted to share some parts or quotes to me. I could also borrow them later. When I had some awards in school and needed to say a speech, he wrote it for me. We also did some crossword puzzles together. And as for my Granny or Nanay, I learned a lot from her – how to be strong and independent. She gave all her grandchildren (girls, mostly) the same piece of material and we ended up wearing the same dress, but with different designs. She had a small store at the end of her life and when we were there for a holiday, we helped her. She gave us some sweets or small present afterwards. She was an interesting cook, she would mix one weird ingredient to another and voila! a meal (not to everyone’s taste, but bless her soul, we tried to eat it).

Look at this black and white photo
Golden anniversary of our grandparents
We were all there, some not even born
Most of them were not with us anymore
And so with this in mind, my homage

Tatay was my idol, a great reader
Died of Parkinson’s disease, still reading
He put the meanings of the difficult words
Wrote them in pencils at the side of books

Nanay, still beautiful in her old age
Long wavy hair, deaf as a post
Her cooking, shall we say, creative
Mixing things we normally don’t mixed

Tia Carol and Tio Fred, both in heaven
Both doctors, humble as pies
Good storytellers, took life leisurely
Spoke the dialect I cannot understand

Tio Alex, bless his soul, only brother
Worked in Customs, good looking
Tia Ludy, still with us, still elegant
Brought the kids on her own

My Mum, my darling mother
Pregnant with our youngest brother
My Dad, I still miss him, now gone
Memories in our hearts and souls

All siblings and cousins
Now all with own families
We used to play together
Our own family portrait

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

my family, my flesh and blood
for that I can sing a ballad
we all take it in great humour
all different but similar

my father’s a chef, mum’s teacher
brother’s nurse, sister a babbler
our dog woofs, of course, our cat purrs
all different but similar

we are there when one’s in trouble
and we are rich in wise counsel
we like food, crackers and cheddar
all different but similar

my family, my flesh and blood
all different but similar

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Generation

Manfred’s Date

He was certain that this time there would be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Manfred was getting ready for his date that night. This was his fifth date from the online dating company. The first four dates were not successful as the women did not want a second date. This time, he was sure that “she” would be the one and this date would be a success.

He took a shower and put some after shave (a bit too much if you ask me) but didn’t bother putting a deodorant because he put one of this 48hr one yesterday. He made sure he used his extra strong anti-acne soap. He carefully chose his shirt (pinkish), blue vest and bowtie. From what he had read online, this one was already a winner. She was from the same town, fun-loving and working as a care giver.

He met Claudia in the restaurant. She came 15 minutes late but Manfred didn’t mind that. He was already in love with her from what he could see from his thick glasses. She has a lovely bob hair, wearing sleeveless top which showed her rose tattoo on her arm. They ordered their meal and conversation and wine kept coming. Manfred licked his plate clean at the end of the meal.

Soon it was time to pay the bill. Manfred took out his calculator and divided the amount according to what they had ordered. He wasn’t going to pay for that last bottle of wine because he hardly drank from it (that’s what he thought). Anyway, they’ve settled the bill.

Claudia said goodbye and Manfred never heard from her again. Manfred wondered why. There was nothing in him not to like, he convinced himself. So he went back to the agency for his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

For: #Maydays Prompt – Date Night!

A Sonnet to Our Mother

A Sonnet is a poem consisting of 14 lines (iambic pentameter) with a particular rhyming scheme:

Examples of a rhyming scheme:

#1) abab cdcd efef gg
#2) abba cddc effe gg
#3) abba abba cdcd cd

A Shakespearean (English) sonnet has three quatrains and a couplet, and rhymes abab cdcd efef gg.

Oh mother dear, let us tell you something
You’ve always supported us come what may
With your soft smile and the joy that you bring
You’ve redirected us when we’re astray

With your love you’ve kept us safe through the years
Sacrificed your needs in favour of ours
You’ve shared with our achievements and our fears
You haven’t shown us your tears and your scars

What you drummed in on us we remember
You have brought us well, that’s why we love you
You have been a big part of what we were
You’ve been our model, look how we all grew

The centre of our lives, our rock and heart
For us you always have a special part

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Happy final Sunday of NaPoWriMo

National Siblings Day

NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY (also referred to as Sibling Day) is observed on April 10. It is a day created to honour your brother(s) and/or your sister(s).

A big brother, me, a little sister and the youngest brother
That’s us, the siblings, in one photo the youngest wasn’t even there
I thought our mom looks beautiful and we’re like kids from the block
In another photo was the youngest with our Dad, who was handsome
And in another photo was just me and the big brother in cowbow suits
They were my playmates, my enemies, my allies, my critiques, my fans
I wouldn’t be here without them and I wouldn’t know who I am without them
We may bicker, squabble, and not talk to each other for quite a while
But when someone was hurt or in need of support, we’re there
My siblings, I love you, wherever you are right now
One in Canada, one in England, another one in his ship and I’m in Munich
Whatever you’re doing and has achieved, I’m still here
My brothers and sister

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: National Siblings Day

Love Conquers All

THIS WEEK’S WORDS come from Sonnet 65 by William Shakespeare: brass, stone, earth, sea, honey, hold, battering, meditation, forbid, miracle, ink, shine

Oh, Victoria, you are the miracle that was given to me, my world and my universe. You are the peace that consoles me when I meditate. No battering can keep us apart.

Oh Rodolfo, my world shines with you. You are the honey to my tea and the stone or rock that keeps me steady.

But life is cruel. Victoria’s parents forbid her to see Rodolfo again. “He’s not one of us, not made of the same brass as we are. He’s a scum of the earth, coming from that family, our enemy!” Victoria holds her tears.

What happens next?

For: Moral Mondays: “Love Conquers All” by Nortina S. and Whirligig 52 by Magical Mystical Teacher