BITUKANG MALALIM

(To the tune of Batong Malalim by Juan Dela Cruz Band)

Gusto raw ng slimming
Kaya ayaw kumain
Hindi naman pupuwede
Hindi basta titikim
Ngunit kung may isaw
Kain pati bahaw

Ayaw daw kumain
Tumatanggi sa hain
Ayaw na nabubusog
Katawan gustong papayatin
Ang laging iniisip
Paano maging slim

[adlib]

Sige diet pa sige
Gusto lagi dumudumi
Ang katawang lumobo
Maging seksi o macho
Diet man ay remedyo
Walang tatalo sa takbo

[adlib]

Diet man ay remedyo
Walang tatalo sa takbo
Diet man ay remedyo
Walang tatalo sa takbo

RMP
4/29/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

NOW I KNOW

“By the verdict of his own breast, no guilty man is ever acquitted.” Juvenal

living a life of dissent I made lots of excuses
assumptions left and right gave me bumps and bruises
when I archived the past into rhymes and verses
the poetic lines became my muffled curses

the distance I covered every time I hit the road
won’t ever be enough to free me of my load
the weight of guilt keeps me on a frantic mode
I can’t simply outrun an unwanted episode

now I know why my words tend to overflow

there are vivid images I can’t simply let go

now I know why I am running away

each step I take keeps my sorrows at bay

it’s going to be a cycle where there is no escape
embattled thoughts will begin to take shape
when words collide forcing an endless debate
then lines will converge inside a depressing state

the increase in mileage and the burst of speed
will never ever satiate the momentum that I need
the high is overwhelmed when it’s time to concede
I know when I stopped some emotions just can’t be freed

now I know why my words tend to overflow

there are vivid images I can’t simply let go

now I know why I am running away

each step I take keeps my sorrows at bay

RMP
4/28/17
Winnipeg MB Canada

REALITY CHECK

“Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one's own opinions; nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality.”
― Sheri S. Tepper, The Visitor (cited from goodreads.com)

our eyes are fixated on the digital screen
there are just so much to be heard and seen
indifference is becoming an ordinary scene
we maybe together but there’s a big gap in between

we are tech zombies idly sitting on a chair
the mood seems like we just don’t really care
with self-conceit mixed with what we freely share
our egos soar high while looking for what to compare

battles are launched inside our comfort zones
targets are locked in the crosshairs of our phones
with modern catapults to hurl the battle stones
we become assailants in our own game of thrones

our timelines are riddled by our narcissistic posts
the space is now a platform to show off or to boast
expecting more visits we become pretentious hosts
not satisfy enough we display our random quotes

digital slavery in a world of cut and paste
status is set by what we see and what we taste
scattered emotions most of them are misplaced
reality check, more precious time has gone to waste

RMP
4/26/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

MOCHA

Ang tulang ito ay Rated PG (Para sa Gurang)

masarap lalo na sa mga nagkakape
idol naman ng mga maka duterte
dahil sa mga bitaw ay pinuputakte
ng mga isyung ganito at ganire

mapait sa kanila na ayaw makinig
natatakam naman ang mga mahihilig
ang mga palabas ay talagang nakakapanginig
apektado ang marami pag bumuka ang bibig

kasama malimit sa opisyal na lakad
kaya ang pangalan ay nakakaladkad
tumataas ang kilay ng mga kaaway na lantad
may nag-aantanda naman pag nakitang lumiliyad

pero malaman (ang dibdib) at malakas ang loob
may init na hatid ang bawat indayog
kaya kahit tinitira sa harap, gitna at likod
lagi pa ring mababasa at mapapanood

lantad na lantad at lutang na lutang
pantasya ng mga bata pati ng mga gurang
parang ‘Parker’ kung gumuhit ang dilang malaman
may mga nagagalit at meron ding natatakam

sa mga kakampi wala namang problema
nagngingitngit naman ang mga moralista
sa ganang akin eh huwag na tayong magtaka
ang ‘strange bedfellows’ normal lang sa pulitika

simple lang ang equations hindi ito kumplikado
kamot ko plus kamot mo equals walang agrabyado
kembot mo plus kembot ko equals sabay tayo
pwede rin ang baligtaran basta walang madedehado

kwalipikado ba o bahagi ng utang na loob?
patronage politics kaya kailangang sumunod?
hindi kaya bayad sa pagtihaya at pagtaob?
ano ang pinakain na talagang kalugod-lugod?

magpapatuloy ang agos ng mga intriga
magkalabang kampo patuloy ang patutsada
lalo pang mag-iinit laman ng social media
habang patuloy ang paggiling ni Mocha

RMP
4/21/2017
Revised 10/4/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

NON-PARTISAN DAW?

panay ang banat sa mga nakaluklok
laging mali na lang ang laman ng tuktok
masama ang loob dahil hindi nanalo ang manok
tapos na ang laban panay pa rin ang mukmok
noong kulay pa nila ang namamayagpag
walang masamang tinapay na nakikita sa hapag
kapag may kinatay hindi sila pumapalag
chill lang sila kahit ang bayan ay nilalaspag

non-partisan daw?
lokohin nyo ang lelang nyo!
lahat naman tayo may kani-kaniyang kampo

maraming nakikita na mga dapat baguhin
noong panahon nila lahat ay tatanggapin
ang proseso noon na di nila pinapansin
nung iba ang gumagamit dapat daw ay ayusin
may mga moralidad pa silang nalalaman
may mas imoral pa ba sa pagnanakaw sa kaban?
ang mali ay mali sinuman ang nasa pamunuan
ang non-partisan kahit sino pwedeng kalaban

non-partisan daw?
lokohin nyo ang lelang nyo!
lahat naman tayo may kani-kaniyang kampo

idol man ngayon hindi na ba pwedeng mapuna
imposible namang tama lahat ang ginagawa niya
lahat nagkakamali, lahat naman ay pumapalya
kung makapag-react akala mo lahat perpekto na
kapag iba ang opinyon yun na ang kulay agad-agad
hindi ba pwedeng pakingggan muna ang mga lumalantad
posts sa social media ang bullying ay sinasagad
title pa lang ang nabasa may conclusion na ang hitad

non-partisan daw?
lokohin nyo ang lelang nyo!
lahat naman tayo may kani-kaniyang kampo

para sa bayan lang daw at sila ay tagapagtanggol
mali daw naman lahat ang mga isyung ipinupukol
hindi raw patas ang atensiyon kaya nagmamaktol
kapag nasukol ang argumento parang asong nauulol
non-partisan? eh ano ang maitatawag niyo dito
kalaban agad kapag may mga nagrereklamo
hindi ba pwedeng malaman kung supporter din ito
na may bitbit na isyung angkop at lehitimo

non-partisan daw?
lokohin nyo ang lelang nyo!
lahat naman tayo may kani-kaniyang kampo

ganito naman talaga, pare-pareho pa rin ang paksa
malalaman ang kulay sa kung ano ang iwinangawa
kaya wag nang mag pretend na akala mo’y nasa gitna
pare-pareho lang tayo na may pinipiling mukha
non-partisan? hanggang ngayon suntok sa buwan
kung mayroon mang natitira malamang ay iilan
ang dating ng mga isyu sa mga mahihilig mag-abang
kahit tama ay mali kapag nanggaling sa kalaban

non-partisan daw?
lokohin nyo ang lelang nyo!
lahat naman tayo may kani-kaniyang kampo

RMP
4/19/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

DUPLICITY

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 KJV

when a creed
recognizes and proclaims
the universal virtues of
love, forgiveness,
unity and compassion

calling all mankind
to respect the differences
and uniqueness of each faith

while at the same time
turns out to be a slave
of its own constricted
interpretation of truth

keeping its congregation
to unconsciously observe
absurd theological concepts
that limit the enormous power
of an omnipotent GOD
and make HIM look
stupid and ridiculous…

RMP
11/19/2013
revised 2/16/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

OUR SONG, OUR RACE

“I think it’s naïve to pray for world peace if we’re not going to change the form in which we live.” --Godfrey Reggio

you start the first line, i’ll do the next
the melody is yours, i’ll finish the text
let’s write a song and give it our best
if we fail at first then make it our quest

this is our song
this is our race
let us sing together
and create more space

you set the pace, i’ll be right behind you
we can switch places just give me the cue
let’s run this race the only way we knew
if i fall far behind just tell me what to do

this is our song
this is our race
let us run together
don’t give up the chase

a wishful thinking in a chaotic world
where guns are fired and stones are hurled
we all knew that peace is the only missing word
but it is often cut in half by double-edged swords

this is our song
this is our race
this might be an illusion
but we can create more space

this is our song
this is our race
this might be an illusion
but we can keep our own pace

RMP
4/12/2017
revised 8/21/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

RANDOM #88

I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds. – Michael Faraday

inadequate words
on an infinite space
mediocre phrases
searching for a place
shattered feelings
on an empty page
an ordinary show
on an open stage

freedom to write
and an urge to share
the conspiring thoughts
are just too much to bear
when the lyrical scent
starts to fill the air
the courtship with words
becomes an endless affair

RMP
4/12/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

DEAD AIR

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” –Albert Einstein

glued on the screen
our silence is deafening
we’re no longer listening
indifference is overwhelming

a shrinking world
orbits around a software
touch, move, watch and share
nothing is left in between but dead air

RMP
4/11/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

RANDOM #87

“There is a pleasure in poetic pains, which only poets know.” –William Cowper

i write
not to relive

those moments
i failed to see

or I guess

those times
i took for granted

i write
to relive

the emotions
behind each story

the sadness
the guilt
the pain

and

my own quest
for redemption

RMP
4/10/2017
Revised 1/4/2018
Winnipeg MB Canada

WALKING ON THIN ICE

“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.”-Edgar Allan Poe

a sudden shift is made
this one’s not trouble-free
a difficult decision
to face a harsh reality
the path is fragile
you’re atop a frozen lake
walking on a thin layer
a journey is at stake

filled with uncertainties
you opted to take that route
walk the untrodden lane
to resolve your worst dispute
there’s a much safer way
but you chose that road instead
the yearning within is enticing
even with dangers signs ahead

RMP
4/9/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

RANDOM #86

“It is our choices… that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”-J.K.Rowling

i’m not a great runner
i don’t have that burst of speed
that puts someone on top
and consistently takes the lead
i maybe a bit competitive
but I run against my time
if someone’s ahead of me
I’ve my own mountain to climb

i’m not a great writer
i don’t have a masterpiece
there are just some thoughts
that I really don’t want to miss
prolific, I am not
i just can’t control the flow
there are just some moments
that I simply can’t let go

i am not a great poet
i am no Edgar Allan Poe
but my verses are reflections
of what I really want to show
no formal measurements
all I need are simple lines
my freedom is limitless
when I feel and see the signs

i am not a great man
and will never ever be
i am just a small fragment
to someone else’s memory
i don’t have a great name
but it doesn’t matter anyway
as long as I can run and write
there’s nothing more for me to say

RMP
4/6/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

TROOPER

living all alone
after I left my comfort zone
in an unfamiliar land
trying to make it on my own
back to ground zero
biting the bullet is a must
return or move on
it’s either boom or bust

distracted by the images
of those I left behind
with battles being fought
in the corners of my mind
the urge is to persist
even if I hit the wall
i've to convince myself
i’m a trooper after all

RMP
4/5/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

ISA, DALAWA, TATLO

isa, dalawa, tatlo
bilang ng trabaho
apat, lima, anim
credit cards sapin-sapin
pito, walo, siyam
sobre na nag-aabang
sampu. labing-isa
due dates na pala

labing-dalwa’t labing-tatlo
may line of credit pa dito
labing-apat, labing-lima
car loan at mortgage pa
labing-anim, labing-pito
interest rates lumolobo
labing-walo, labing-siyam
saan pa ba manghihiram?

RMP
4/4/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

I RUN THROUGH PAIN

"Pain is nothing compared to what it feels like to quit." –Dan Gable

nothing out of the ordinary
i’ve been doing this a lot of times
running through pain is like
turning sadness into rhymes
the urge to quit is building up
but the mind is holding on
every step is excruciating
while I wonder what went wrong

rest is an option
but I’ll always find a reason
to go out there and run
no matter what’s the season
it may sound a bit crazy
but the craving is real
the tolerance to pain
shortens the time to heal

running’s like a journey
there are hurdles to slow us down
it’s quite difficult sometimes
to turn some things around
the mere idea of struggle
can shake us to the core
when the ache is overwhelming
we don’t want to try no more

i run through pain
because I know how it feels
when numbness strikes
the discomfort disappears
it might be slower than the usual
but when the rhythm comes back
a momentum is regained
a purpose is back on track

RMP
4/2/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada

RANDOM #86

sumisipol na hangin
kalampag sa salamin
ang mga ingay
pilit akong ginigising
masakit man ang ulo
pilit na tumayo
ang pumasok sa isip
baka biglang maglaho

binuksan ang computer
upang simulan
ang temang pumasok
sa aking isipan
subalit di pa handa
ang kamay at diwa
masakit pa ang ulo
katawan ay latang-lata

kaya chat na lang muna
sa pamilya sa pinas
uminom ng gamot
pansamantalang lunas
pagkatapos ng chat
humiga na lang muli
ipikit ang mga mata
matulog kahit sandal

sumisipol na hangin
kalampag sa salamin
ang mga ingay
muli akong ginising
kahit masakit pa rin
pinilit kong tumayo
sa pagharap sa computer
ito ang aking nabuo

RMP
4/2/2017
Winnipeg MB Canada