Taeng ni Ayat

Pannagna

2008-12-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

Nakatapaya dagiti naibulos a sennaay
Kadagiti uneg agkarapaay a nakem
Ta kas man tunggal umaddang ti namnama
Adda mangibalud a pannakaiwawa.

‘Di makakunail aglulupoy a simbeng
Nagaburan ‘di agpakatalna a panagbuteng
Ta kas man tunggal umagek ti kired
Adda kullayaw a mangiparnged.

Agragutok dagiti barukong ti aripapa
Kadagiti agpaspasnaay a rikna
Ta tunggal sumirip agur-uray a masakbayan
Adda alliaw a mangsalukob iti agdama.

Manguddakudday pannagna ti panawen
Dagiti agkaraitublak, agluluken a tumeng
Ngem tumakderak latta, magnaak manen
Tapno layawek nakaigarugungan a yuyeng.

//Sherma E. Benosa
06 August 2008; 9:50 am

My Door

2008-08-21T09:02:00.000+08:00

It stayed open.
It did not think of moving
To stand in your way
When you walked out
With the suitcase
That emptied the closet
Of my dreams.

It stayed close.
It did not stir
When you knocked.
It did not open itself
To welcome the dulcet hymn
Of the thousand promises
You carried in your trunk.

There’s nothing wrong
With my door.
It works perfectly fine.
It opens and closes still
But on its own now.
No longer according
to your whims.

The hinges have learned
To say, “Enough!”

//Sherma E. Benosa
August 2, 2008; 1057pm

Hearse of Death

2008-07-12T23:58:00.003+08:00

You were the promise that enticed
My soul to fly across the
Vast sky of cloudlessness
Toward forgetfulness;
Along landscaped fantasies.

You were the smile that lured
My spirit to swim across the
The vast ocean of weightlessness
Toward unrestrained waves
Of freely floating dreams.

I hugged the fleeting ecstasy
Of your warm embrace.
I basked in the ephemeral music
Of your haughty grace.
Because I lived for the thrill
Of staring at your hazy gaze.

But now, as you drag slowly by
In this procession of mistakes
I wake up from my trance
And finally see you as you are:
The lie that seized my spirit;
The hearse that carried me to my death.

[seb; 02 July 2008; 10:04pm]

Dayasadas ken Tarakitik

2008-07-04T20:23:00.004+08:00

(Dua a Daniw a Maymaysa't Kaipapananda)

Dayasadas
(iti tawa ni sherma)

Dayyengnaka’t naumbi a nakaparsuaan
A kumkumpasan nalung-ay nga angin;
Is-iseman apagapaman a dariwanawar
Ti saguyepyepen nga agsapa.

Samiwengka a makaila; mangitunda’t
Alinegneg ti karayan ti agay-ayus a rikna;
Lagip bumangonda manipud mananglilipat
Nga isip; inaprosan nalamuyot a pul-oy.

Saibbeknaka’t naliday a nakaparsuaan
A dangdanggayan makipagrikna a palayupoy;
Im-imdengan pumakpakada a sipnget
Ti napuyatan, linammin a rabii.

Saning-ika a makauloy-rikna; mangitulod
Mangliwengliweng a yuyeng ti napaksuyan
A barukong; dagensen rumekkasda manipud
Nakaitalimengan a siled; puso a simked.

Ritmom, di agpaltos, agingga di agsarday
Bayakabak a mangsibug nagregkang a daga;
Kas met la bitek ti barukong; di umingga
Agingga adda anges ti napuyotan-a-tapok.

//Sherma E. Benosa
17 October 2007; 1:48 am

Bayakabak, Tarakitik
(a mangmangngeg ni VF iti kuartona)

Kansionka’t naragsak a lubong
A salaen ti naumbi a palayupoy
Palpaludipan dumteng nga anaraar
Ti agdudungsa a nasapa a bigat.

Musikaka a makailili; mangiturong
Alinsaed ti waig ti agar-aruyot a bitek;
Nagawan a ladawan ni lagip, nagsubli;
Dinuayya’n pug-aw naimnas nga ulimek.

Saning-inaka’t nakaiyanakan
A salsalaan makidanggay a palayupoy;
Dengdenggen agpukawen a riwet
Ti di nakaturog, nagkutimermer a kaltaang.

Ibitnaka a manggudas-rikna, mangiturong
Gayung-gayong a kalawakaw ti nabannog
A barukong, im-impen rumkuasda manipud
Nakaidulinan a sagumbi; bimmato a puso.

Kumpasmo di agriro, agingga di agtunged
Bayakabak a mangep-ep mawaw a rengngat;
A kas iti arungaing ti puso; di agpatinga
Agingga nga adda anges, pinarsua iti pitak.

//Clifton Pascua
18 October 2007

Cavern of Death

2008-07-03T12:25:00.000+08:00

Echo the strangled moans
Of the shadows lurking
In your bottomless pit
Where dried tears of broken
Hopes walk with the fallen
Leaves of the dreams I
Once nurtured in my depths —

Now dried and breathless:
Just mere remnants of what
Could be that did not become.

Let go of the dark, thick liquid
In your crevice, threatening
To burst anytime and flood
The abyss of your nothingness.
The once-pulsating optimism
That fired at my veins and
Lighted my waking moments —

Now still and lifeless:
Just mere illusion that acquired
Flesh; already beaten and dead.

For those who perished in the Glorietta Blast and everyone who died in the hand of political injustice.

I first read some updates on the Glorietta blast before reading one of the novels in my collection: a somewhat romantic but definitely political novel (Of Love and Shadow by Isabel Allende) set in a Latin American country on the grip of dictatorship, and this is what I’ve become — utterly DEPRESSED. As the main characters in the novel discover the cavern into which the bodies of the desaparecidos (missing people) were thrown, images of those who died in Glorietta and the skeletons of the dug bodies in the novel kept flashing in my mind. So grotesque the sight I conjured that demons started beseeching me to write this depressing piece. Sorry…

//Sherma E. Benosa
27 October 2007; 3:37am

Kuliapis Nga Ay-ay

2008-06-27T23:48:00.001+08:00

Makasiram ti apuy a sumgiab iti kaunggan ni ngata-ngata
Ket puoranna ti simbeng ti panagdaliasat ti agduadua a kararua
Dagiti agkatangkatang a dapan nga inulila ti nailibay a darepdep
Nga indaramudom ti kasipngetan, inadipen nagkaadu a derrep.

‘Di madaeran kuyep a mata ti makipinnerreng iti masakbayan
A tagtagibien aliaw impasngay kalman a di man la nagbalasang
Iduduayyan’ pilay nga agdama a nagpanawan narasi a namnama
Ilallallay saning-i ti dung-aw dagiti umar-arubayan nga aligaga.

Madaeranto ngata ti kired ni Elpis ti bang-i ti espiritu ni Moros
A nangkaras ubbog ni talinaay, nangruros sabong ti kurkuros
Idinto nga agsung-aben dagiti kalman a ramut a baglan ni puot
A dalanen koma dagiti sagibsib ngem inalun-on metten ni pungtot?

Uray la agallangogan dagiti sennay ti nakas-ang a pannakapaay
Ngem saan met a sumngaw dagiti boses ti kuliapis nga ay-ay.

Check out other version HERE. Or, read my other attempts at poetry HERE.

//Sherma E. Benosa
09 May 2008; 10:15pm

Odes to the Night

2008-06-17T16:56:00.003+08:00

.
Obscure

The night is —

the wide canvas
upon which the moon paints
his mysterious smile.

the rich backdrop
against which the stars dance
gleefully.

Dark, he lives in obscurity.
Alone, he is nobody.

Yet, without him —
The moon’s smile would be bereaved of its allure.
And the stars’ dance would lose its grandeur.

There won’t be starlit skies
under which lovers exchange dreamy sighs!

Nigh Shift

The night —

He hears
the young mothers’ lullabies.
the insomniac’s nightly cries.
the lovers’ secret sighs.
the children’s bedtime pray’rs, their hearts’ desires.

He sees
the sleeping souls’ dreams.
the steps sleepwalkers make.
the crimes every thief commits.
the owls’ flights to the wilderness.

The night —

Is busy.
Tonight.
Every night.
He, too, is on the night shift!

//Sherma E. Benosa

Book on a Shelf

2008-06-14T10:08:00.006+08:00

I am
On a shelf:
A book
Unread for years.

Each page
An unraveling of stories:
Whispered conversations
Words soft and strong;
A tangle of thoughts and emotions:
Laughter walking amidst flower beds
Tears swimming in deep ravines;
Good and evil on a fierce swordfight;
A passing of day and night;
A chronicle of a journey:
With a humble beginning
And an end yet untold.

Unread for years
A book
On a shelf:
I am.

//Sherma E. Benosa
23 October 2007; 11:00pm

Dagaang ti Abril

2008-06-10T01:07:00.007+08:00

Salemsemen ti rikna
Iti dagaang ti Abril
Ta agbalayen ti dara
Iti lamiis dagiti arakup.
Nakuturan ket ngata
Dagiti naulila a parmata
Dagiti kimter a darang
Ti nasebseban a pluma.
Ta nupay makapurar ‘ta lawag
Sipnget latta met ti makita
Ta kimmudrepen dagiti mata
Ti narikpan a puso.
Awan met ngaminen
Dagiti makaay-ayo a buya
Liwliwa agkukutel a rikna.
Ta agsalawasaw metten
Dagiti talawataw a saka
Ken agkusilapen
Dagiti siping a dila.

//Sherma E. Benosa
18 April 2008; 3:25pm
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Iruruk-at

2008-06-09T00:42:00.003+08:00

.
‘Di mawingiwingan naumbi nga awis
Agur-uray panagtalaytay manen
Dara kadagiti urat ti napipikel a nakem

Ta nupay impierno ti makalunag iti bato
Saan a maigawid panagbitek ti puso.

Maatiananto dagiti bubon ni sanaang
Umarakupto met laeng bara ni alikaka
Ket maruk-atanto naibalud a simbeng

Ta nupay natulawan nagpakadan a kalman
Adda minas a nasikkarud dagiti dapan.

.
//Sherma E. Benosa
09 June 2008; 12:45am
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Iti Kannag ti Kaltaang

2008-06-07T18:03:00.003+08:00

.
Agtadekak man, ta naiwagatkon a namimpinsan
Dagiti aliaw a nangadipen iti kaunggan.

Ta awandan a matimudko dagiti aligagaw ni buteng
Tunggal lumabas iti paraangan agal-allangogan
Nga arimpadek dagiti agkalkallautang nga anniniwan.

Makiin-innisemak met ngaminen iti kannag ti kaltaang;
Isu a wen, gayyem, patiek a namimpinsan
Nauman nga agsaknap dagiti nadawel a lidem
Nausawan ket ngatan ti nangbartek kadakuada nga ilem.

//Sherma E. Benosa
27 April 2008; 10:46am
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Rendezvous

2008-06-06T09:15:00.002+08:00

Blank are her brown eyes
As they stare into the void
Too dark is the night.

For the moon is tired
From her nightly rendezvous
She won’t come tonight.

Crickets, they’re silent
They’ve been told many a time:
Sometimes, songs torment.

Ev’n the oft nice wind
Is in sour mood; tonight a
Bitchy company.

Yet, in the darkness
She sits a-waiting for peace
To hand her its grace.

She lifts a finger
To lips unpainted, unkissed
No sensation there.

She heaves a faint sigh
As she softly shakes her head
A whimper is heard.

Then crystals glisten
Building up then falling down,
Forming a river.

Rolling down the planes
And slopes of her pallid cheeks
Down to her soft neck.

Sad are her brown eyes
When she shut them off the void
This night dared offer.

She too is quite tired
From her daily rendezvous
Yet she came tonight.

Sherma Benosa
7/14/2006 4:25:15 AM

Autumn in Summer

2008-05-27T19:02:00.003+08:00

It’s summer; the sun’s smiling brightly
But autumn reigns inside me.
Like a tree who just lost a leaf
Inside me, there is grief.
I am a vast sky on stormy nights
Forsaken by the moon, bereft of stars.

Help me feel I am no tree
And you are not a leaf;
You are a river, and I am a creek.
From different springs, we came together
To flow side by side
But the time has come that we must travel apart.

I flow on by, as I know you would.
Have faith, let us both believe
We will entwine somewhere, someday again.
And when we each reach destiny’s ocean
Trust that we will be one water again, my friend.
Until then..

//Sherma E. Benosa;
02 April 2008; 1:20pm

Balasang ti Bambang

2008-05-24T19:39:00.003+08:00

Kansionanka man, O balasang ti Bambang
balasang a napintas nga innak pagrukbaban
itoy nga aldaw nga inka panagkanaganan
panagtaom, ita ken iti agnanayon, diakto kalipatan.

Isagutko kenka toy ayatko a nagpaiduma
bitbituen sadiay langit, purosekto amin ida
inayonko diay bulan aramidekto a kas korona
nga ibalangat dita ulom, selnaganna ‘ta sadia.

Iyawatko a naimpusuan dagiti pinilik a rosas
karagupna metten dagiti napudno nga arasa-as
ti talingenngen ni Kari, saanto a manasanas
panangtagiben kapia-ni-tulag, dinto pulos agkupas.

Itden koma ti Apo ita nga aldaw a panagkasangaymo
pannakataginayon ni ragsak, regta, salun-at ken dungngo
ni pangipateg ken ni Ayat, agsadag dita barukongmo
tapno inta manibi dagiti tarigagay ken kari ti dua-a-puso.

Kansionanka ngarud O Pintas ti Bambang
sapata ni kinapudno dim’ to koma kalipatan
ta awanton sabali nga innak tarigagayan
no di ‘ta ayatmo, Anghel nga innak pagraywan.

//Birthday song from Mr. Clifton Pascua
March 2007

Hymn Within Me

2008-05-19T21:20:00.000+08:00

.
There is a hymn inside my heart that begs to be sung,
Waiting for my wobbly fingers to strum
The strings of my soul’s discordant melody.

But my lips refuse to sing the notes
That would pull my soul out of the void;
For though it badly needs to hear the music
It fears the thundering boom of the drums.

So I sit around, hoping for someone to play a song
All the while knowing it’s got to be me;
I wait here, daydreaming for a concerto
All the while knowing my ears have become deaf
To the music of the life around me.

Tell me, how can I sing my heart’s tune
Without first fixing the pitch of my thoughts?
I’ve forgotten my lines, I can’t relate to the melody;
Sing to me, sing to me so that I may remember
That there is a hymn that begs to be sung within me.

//Sherma E. Benosa
18 May 2008; 5:46pm

Dead End

2008-05-19T17:05:00.001+08:00

I cannot pass through you
but I can make a way around you.

You deter my progress
but you cannot stop me.

You are the slow-down sign,
the check-your-way reminder
in disguise.

You are the detour arrow
That makes me try another road.

Like a hump,
you stand on my way
so that I may not go too fast.

So I step on the brakes
To check my road map.

And I halt a moment
For a well-deserved rest.

You are a dead end.
But my trek does not end with you
nor am I dead because of you.

‘Coz I’ll find another way.
And I’ll walk on.

//Sherma E. Benosa
August 29, 2007; 11:45pm

As I Sleep

2008-05-19T17:04:00.001+08:00

You are the night
that envelops me with peace.

Under your watchful moon
you make me feel safe.

In the company of your stars
you fill my heart with gladness.

Upon your request, the crickets
hum me a melody.

And on your order, the breeze
caresses my face.

All these, as I sleep.

//Sherma E. Benosa
13 July 2007; 3:46pm

Ngamin ta Sika

2008-04-12T18:19:00.000+08:00

(SEB, sikat’ gapuna)

Tunggal kadi lapgisek pinanid dagiti aldaw
Ni panagtuok; saning-i ni ar-araraw
Nga itden ti saem ni tuok ni panaguray
Kararuak a mapirpisay, maidalit ken liday?

Saan.
Ngamin sikat’ aldaw ni ganaygay.

Innak kadi samiren dagiti nasamek a babaet
Ni alla-alla a nabeltak; nasipnget a ginget
Ken burubor mangliwengliweng a panagdudua,
Malmesak ken liday, kawaw kadi a sirmata?

Saan.
Ngamin sikat’ rangtay unnoy ni namnama.

//Clifton Pascua
12 April 2008

Lamina ni Ayat

2008-04-11T17:13:00.000+08:00

Wen, addada latta a sumangbay
Dagiti di matmaturog a namnama
Lumtuadda kadagiti sagumaymay
Ni ragsak, agtaud kaunggan rikna;
Ta addada latta marikna a kinadarisay
Kadagiti ipagpaganetget dagita ikikita.
Ala, addaak latta ngarud nga aguray
Idadateng naisangsangayan nga agsapa.

Idayyengko ngarud dagiti aweng ni iliw
Ta isuda man mangiyarakup liwliwa
Kumpasak allangogan ni sagawisiw
Dagiti makabang-ar rikna a sonata;
Bareng ‘di agbayag sumungadton ni ayat
Mamagungar natuokan a kararua.
Koma, ket isangbayton’ baro nga agsapa
Laminan’ ayat, pinagkaysa ni namnama.

For cP. Happy 23rd month tomorrow, Buddy. yy10ka. :-)

//Sherma E. Benosa
11 April 2008; 2:35 pm

Kenka, Pagayam

2008-04-10T20:40:00.000+08:00

.
Aglangoy, agkuy-atka, pagayam
Ket batukem taaw a pagtaptapawam
Bareng naidulin a gameng iti lansad
Di masasaan nga inka mabirokan.

Agtayab, agampayagka, pagayam
Wanawanam law-ang a nakaikariam.
Bareng nasusudi a tagtagaimpem
Maragpatmo, inka maikutan.

Magnaka, itarengtengmo, gayyem
Ket surotem desdes a namayengmeng
Bareng naibudi a kaipapanan
Naan-anaymonton a maawatan.

Ngem sapay koma, pagayam
Ta inton nakadanonkan iti papanam
Ket mapanunotmonto a taliawen ni kalman,
Maysaakto kadagiti mailangaam.

Bay-am a siak ti segden ti parola
Kadagiti taaw a pagdaliasatam
Ket siakto ti inka pagpatawan
Kenni atab a mangyaw-awan.

Kadagiti law-ang a daliasatem
Makipagtayabak, saan nga aleng-aleng;
Ta siakto ti anginmo,
Mangbagkat natibker a payakmo.

Ket kadagiti desdes a surotem,
Addaakto latta, awan dudua
Ta siakto’t mangkibin kenka
Iti tiempo’t samuyeng, pannakaikawa.

Ala, agtuloyka, ‘di ka agsarimadeng
Ta agkurnoak kenka, gayyem;
Dagiti luluak, ladawan ti ragsak
Panangtun-oymo nabalitokan nga arapaap.

//A poem for my good friends who have left: Chie and Jing Fallarna and Celestine Bersabal. God bless you. I am so glad God put you in my life. You are among the treasures I cherish in my heart. I love you. Good luck.

When the nudge for me to write came, I had thought of writing in English, so that my non-Ilokano friends for whom this piece was written would understand it and they would know how I feel for and about them. But when I finished writing it, I realized it was written in a language they do not speak. I tried to translate it, but somehow, I was inadequate; the right words just wouldn’t come. It was after several hours that I realized that maybe there’s no need for me to translate this; that it was written exactly as it should, because they already know how much they mean to me.

.
//Sherma E. Benosa
02 April 2008; 11:10am

Manto ni Aligagaw

2008-04-05T23:18:00.001+08:00

Dukotka ni ulpit, saligemgem ni buteng
Kuspag ti pasamak, kari nga aleng-aleng
Maysaka a bambanti, taguob ni allilaw
Anniniwan ni pangta, manto ni Aligagaw.

Langebka a simmangbay, nagmanto a lawag
Ulaw ti kararua, mangyaw-awan a dalagadag
Sumyagka a sumangpet kasigud mo’t tabbaaw
Maysaka a bambanti, manto ni Aligagaw.

Panagpagem nalamiis a tawa a pagtaptapayaak
Layusem ti paladpad, lugar pagar-arapaapak
Lemmesem karayo, aramidem a parparawpaw
Maysaka a bambanti, manto ni Aligagaw.

Iwasawasmo, purosem ni namnama, tinnagem
Lukaisam kurtinak a pinaglumenen ti panawen
Unnoyko ken pakaasi, impatom a salawasaw
Maysaka a bambanti, manto ni Aligagaw.

Linibasmo daydi impategko a puso a bagnos
Inuyusmo’t alintataok, turedko’t naigusugos
Dati a kanta iti kaltaang, nagbalindan a kawaw
Maysaka a bambanti, manto ni Aligagaw.

Ibaludnak kadagiti diding a pinapusiaw ni saem
Nangisit nga anniniwan ti inka pinagtaeng
Dati a talingen-ngen ni tured, siakon ti alawaaw
Maysaka a bambanti, manto ni Aligagaw.

(*written at the middle of the night while sitting in my living room watching the rain whipping my window panes.)

//Clifton P. Pascua
17 December 2007

The Pursuit of Love

2008-04-04T08:32:00.000+08:00

..
I sought to understand love
Through my misty spectacles.
I tried to observe its different facets
In my muddied existence.

Though I knew it was supposed to be great
I saw only glimpses;
And though I tried to analyze it
I couldn’t begin to fathom it.

Until I closed my eyes
And learned to listen to my heartbeat.
I opened my heart
And love came and possessed it.

Inspired by a post. Read it HERE.

//Sherma E. Benosa
31 March 2008
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IF

2008-03-31T17:22:00.000+08:00

If in the morning
I don’t see your face,
I die a little.

And if at some nights
I don’t get a goodnight kiss,
I die a little.

You are my sunshine;
I live for your love, your kiss.
Your smile, I so miss.

//01 March 2008; 11:11am

Seranada

2008-02-27T17:53:00.001+08:00

Tagaimpek ti adda man koman dita sibay
Manipud nasam-it a pannakailibay.
Riknaen lamuyot angin a sumangbay
Buyaen dagiti bituen nga agkiraykiray.
Tagaimpek ti adda man koman dita sibay
Dagiti paddekko’t maaddaan ganaygay
Mangiturong kaniak kenka, ala sapay
Ta dita saklotmo awanton ni upay.

Ti samuyeng ni iliw indanto agpukaw
Iti sipnget ken yuyeng adalem a dan-aw.
Bang-i ni naglabas, lemmesen ni ayat
Kas diro ni tagainep, nargaan pusaksak.
Aggarakgakto’t mangrabrabii a pittagaw
Pannakauyos angesko, diakto agaligagaw.
No gasatko laeng iti matay, riknak natalinaay
Sam-itek pannakapasag, lagipmo a naruay.

Bangonennak Imnas, punasem dagiti daginsen!
Dinak ikalang, dinak lipaten, biagko’t alawem!
Iburaymo dayta ayatmo, agekmo dimo italimeng
Kadagitoy matak, bibigko nga agkusnawen.
Matmatam kadi biagko, rupak a nabessag
Denggem toy puso, bitekna’t madagdagdag
Idennesmo ta barukong, ayatmo a naruay
Uray laeng tagainep, umayak kenka sumangbay.

(*inspired by Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Indian Serenade)

//Clifton Pascua

Abungot

2008-02-24T13:47:00.001+08:00

Sangarakem dagidi a balikas
Inyabrasa natibong a katkatawa
Intalimeng lansad ti kaunggan
Pammasingked a nangngegan.

Ngem ubbaw dagidi a sapata
Inyebkas balangkantis a rikna
Manglimlimo nalanay a mata
Kinatarnawda’t nagpatingga.

Maysa kadi laeng a parmata
Kinasayaat nga inka impakita
Ta idi pidduaek ti kumita
Kinaulboden ti nangbalkot kenka?

Agallangogan man ti barukong
Ti naguliban a kinapudno
Ta daydi kinadarisay a sinappupo
Ubbaw met gayam a sursuro.

//Sherma E. Benosa
22 November 2007; 10:24pm

UPSIDE DOWN

2008-02-24T13:46:00.001+08:00

The world sometimes chooses to turn upside down
And there’s nothing we can do except to watch it
Tumble and throw away everything in it
And pray it would right itself again somehow
Before more people get hurt
Before real damage is done.

Sometimes it’s just temporary
Like madness that eventually gives in to sanity
But sometimes it can be permanent
Like the scars that attach themselves to our hearts
To remind us of the choices we made
To make sure we won’t forget.

So we watch as our convictions are tested
As truths are twisted and trampled upon
And lies are validated as though they were facts
And the losers celebrate as if they’ve won
And the villain is cheered like a hero
In a story that venerated deceit.

//Sherma E. Benosa
22 November 2007; 4:55pm

Linnaaw

2008-02-18T17:10:00.002+08:00

Sumilap-silap natarnaw a linnaaw
Nangpalangto manen apagbukar
A petalo ti baro nga agsapa;
Mangipaspasimudaag ngata
Nalangto nga agmalem
Wenno mangmangted kired
Tapno masaranget puor ti init
Ti kararua; bareng laeng saan a kumriit
Ti pakinakem iti pannakibakalna
Narungsot nga agmalem.

Lua ti nagpakadan a rabii,
Pagbiagan sumangbay nga agsapa;
Namnama agpangadua a nakem
Nangugas dudukot indateng
Dagito kanito a naglabas.
Tapno adda kired a mangpasangbay
Isisingising manen dagiti pannubok;
Tapno madaeran dagiti dumteng a mamaglaylay
Nasudi a tartarigagay.
Ket agtalinaed koma a sitatakder
Puon a maibilag nadawel a panawen.

//Sherma E. Benosa
21 December 2007; 12:21am
.

Words

2008-02-18T17:08:00.001+08:00

Elegantly written words
Encrusting a love
That’s spelled to perfection;
Emotion craftily cupped,
Overflowing with devotion.

But between your lines
Are but empty promises;
The music that they impart
Is but a kindness that chills
Coming from a heart
That’s been frozen for years.

//Sherma E. Benosa
08 February 2008

DUATAs

2008-02-08T21:38:00.000+08:00

.

WIND'S WHISPERINGS

The sweet melody of the gentle wind’s whisperings
They make my heart flutter with silly reminiscings.
The memory of your eyes brimming with promises
They still linger, the feel of your soft, gentle kisses.

They still linger the feel of your soft, gentle kisses
The memory of your eyes brimming with promises.
They make my heart flutter with silly reminiscings
The sweet melody of the gentle wind’s whisperings.

For MCP… Missing you…

//Sherma E. Benosa
08 November 2007; 11:20pm

ISEM

Isemmo makapabang-ar rikna
Kas palayupoy agmurmuray nga agsapa;
Petalo agbukar a darikmat
Mangidateng naruay a ragsak.

Mangidateng naruay a ragsak
Petalo agbukar a darikmat;
Kas palayupoy agmurmuray nga agsapa
Isemmo makapabang-ar rikna.

//Sherma Benosa
11 November 2007

Lansad ti Barukong

2008-02-01T22:23:00.000+08:00

Batukek naitalimeng a gameng
Lansad ti pangadaywen a barukong.
Bagnosko ti ‘di agsarday a bitek
Dagiti aglabas a kanito; arimpadek
Dagiti ‘di makaidna nga agsapa
Kaduak nga agpaspasungad isasangbay
Managladladaw a namnama.

Mapukpukaw man ngatan simbeng
Dagiti ‘di mapangnamnamaan a kired
Dagiti narasi, nalupoy a nakem.
Wenno naiwagatda man ket ngatan
Ti naiyawat kadakuada a talisman
Naisangrat a panggatang paspasungadan
Nakanginngina a masakbayan.

Lumned-tumpaw a kaunggan
Agkalkallautang iti nalawa a taaw
A naiyaplag iti nagbaetan;
Malisianna ngata’t umay a dawel
Agipangpangta iti pannakatalimpungaw?
Wenno malasatanna ngata’t kinadangkok
Dagiti allon ti awanan asi a taaw?

A, bay-am kad’ man dagiti panagdudua
Umayda man ket ngatan a mangal-alia.
Bay-am kad’ latta dagiti ubbaw a pangta
Aggandat a mangburibor sin-aw ti nakem.
Basta kaduak nga agkuy-at ayatmo
Ken ‘di agsarday pammateg nga itdem
Lumung-awakto lukong barukongmo; nakaisem.

//Sherma E. Benosa
9 January 2008; 1:57am

Tawa ti Panunot

2008-02-01T22:22:00.000+08:00

Tawa ti panunot ilukatka ta kayatko nga imatangan
Nadumaduma a buya naipinta iti law-ang, nakaibugasan
Agsasabali a maris, agsasallupang a kaipapanan.

Babassit unay dagiti regkang kadagiti tinidtid a diding
A pagsiripsiripak; di makaanay dagiti abut tapno makitak
Pakabuklan, panagsisinninggalot nagkaadu a ladawan.

Ilukatko nakarikep a bulongmo ta kayatko’t sumagrap
Nalangto a kapanunotan, agsasabat iti nalawa a paraangan
Tapno pumariir, lumawag nanumo a siled nga ayan.

Iwalinko dagiti kurtinam ta kayatko’t makiminnatmat
Kadagiti adal nga aglabas-labas; ta bareng laeng kunak
Addanto met sumagmamano a mangtaliaw, umisem kaniak.

Agtakderak iti abaymo a tumammidaw, bareng selnagannak
Nalailo a bulan wenno kiddayannak naisem nga init; maluktan
Panunot a nakullaapan ken kidem-a-mata; ket lawag agsaknap.

//Sherma E. Benosa
2 November 2007; 4:02am

Sunset After the Storm

2008-01-29T22:09:00.001+08:00

I watch in awe as you slowly walk to the horizon’s end
Amber and gold flashing; I imagine that is you winking.
I feel the calm of your peace, taste the truth in your promise
I know you’ll be back to hold me tight in your embrace.

You pause a little and wave to me one last time
Before disappearing to give way to the impatient night.
I linger a moment longer, caressing the mist of your scent
Then slowly walk back home for a well-deserved rest.

//Sherma E. Benosa
19 November 2007; 10:35pm

The Pawn

2008-01-29T22:08:00.002+08:00

I am the pawn you could have easily sacrificed
An unworthy soldier next to the dashing knight
But you guided me instead, you stayed by my side
Now I am a queen; my King, together we’ll fight!

You and I, we will vanquish our opponent’s might
Their army is strong, but we will give it a good try
Let me go conquer their queen, I will leave your side,
But I’ll come back, my King; I am your loyal ally.

A chess-inspired poem

//Sherma E. Benosa
09 November 2007; 4:15pm

Senses

2008-01-29T22:08:00.001+08:00

Listen to the tapping of the falling rain
And you’d hear the beating of my heart
Whispering nothing but your name —
A love so true, a music that won’t stop.

Caress the soft rays of the beaming sun
And you’d feel the warmth of my embrace
Soothing your spirit, clasping your hand —
A balm that takes the worry off your face.

Savor the dampness of the morning breeze
And you’d taste the flavor of my love
As sweet as those saccharine toffees —
A special treat for you from up above.

See Mother Nature’s painting before you
And you’d notice the bareness of my soul
Resilient yet gentle, trusting and true —
A simple abode of things that are humble.

Smell the freshness of the morning dew
And you’d sniff the scent of my bliss
My regrets and worries, they are very few —
A simple life I live, your kiss is all I miss.

//Sherma E. Benosa
09 November 2007; 3:09am

Nalailo Ti Umar-arubayan nga Agsapa

2008-01-29T21:49:00.001+08:00

Nalamuyot angin-parbangon ken angep
Nangbalkot nakaturog a tagainep
Nangdalepdep salemsemen a rikna:
Nalailo ti umar-arubayan nga agsapa.

Naragsak samiweng dagiti taraken
Mangpaspasungad aranaar a dumteng
Marikna, yik-ikkisda a sangapada:
Nalailo ti umar-arubayan nga agsapa.

Naisem ti sumirsirip a raya ti init;
In-inut, naparmek agkapsuten a sipnget;
Makikinkinnumusta nalalangto a mula:
Nalailo ti umar-arubayan nga agsapa.

‘Di makaidna agpaspasangbay a rikna
Dagiti mata, sangkataliawda't daya
A sumungadan ti baro a namnama:
Nalailo ti umar-arubayan nga agsapa.

For my "Nalailo nga Agsapa.” Hope you’ll be home soon, Buddy.

//Sherma E. Benosa
28 October 2007; 9:41 pm

A Love Letter for MCP

2008-01-29T21:46:00.000+08:00

I sing hymns of hope
At the top of my lungs
And beg the wings
Of the wind to carry
My songs and lay them
Neatly upon your heart;

I ask the eagles to fly
Across the horizons
To bring you my love —
Gentle as the breeze,
Lovely as a dove,
Unending and profound.

I bare the contents
Of my heart to the
Sympathetic moon and
Pray that she would
Show them to you
And you’d know

That as you swim the oceans
To capture my smile;
As you move the mountains
To reach for my hand;
I am trudging winding paths
Towards you, my love!

//Sherma Benosa
06 NOvember 2007; 11:57pm

To My Buddy, My Destiny

2008-01-21T18:37:00.000+08:00

[from the Traveller]

I’ll take your hand and I won’t get lost
For the voice in you is the guide I sought.
The travels of longing shall soon be gone
For your smile, Buddy, is my morning sun.

I’ve travelled a long and tortuous path
Of low clouds and their ominous wrath;
The elusive light is now a buried past
For my destiny is the bottom of your heart.

I thank you, Buddy, for guiding my way
Those gentle whispers when I go astray;
The strength I feel every time you pray
And fight for life when the day is grey.

There’ll be no more dark lanes to wander
Nor false stars to get lost and meander;
My treacherous path has now gone asunder
For you built a flowered trail for us together.

Together, we walk this path hand in hand
And follow your torch, never minding a bend;
Should this road become thorny again
Together we'll travel it out; hand in hand.

Clifton Pascua; 12 September 2007

The Traveler

2008-01-21T18:31:00.000+08:00

Unpaved, the path’s long and winding
Curves abound and humps are plenty.
The trek’s arduous, the journey’s taxing
And the trail, narrow, rough and thorny.

You walk still, despite that your lane
Present you no refreshing scenery.
And your companion, a searing pain
Of your fruitless search, your misery.

Then finally you learn to listen
You start hearing your heart’s melody.
Then your eyes, you learn to open
The beauty around you, you begin to see.

You notice the compass guiding you
And the northern star lighting your way.
The open arms reaching out to you
Marking your track so you won’t stray.

Things, no longer do they seem bleak
The clouds that hovered above, now part.
The beams of light you used to seek
No longer elusive, now inside your heart.

You walk on; the journey’s not yet ended.
Beckoning, cheering you not to concede
Is destiny, waiting for you up ahead.
You take her hand; her voice you heed.

//Sherma E. Benosa;
11 September 2007; 1:26am

Clifton's 'Chaikus' for Sherma

2008-01-21T18:29:00.001+08:00

VF’s CHAIKUS

I FOUND YOU

Looking for real love
in the hollowness of nowhere
among false deities
and of nights of wilderness
void of happiness.

I saw your beauty
radiating above others
floating like lilies
the first warm day of spring
brought me happiness.

HOW MUCH I LOVE THEE

I love you today
Perhaps even yesterday
I love you each day
Tomorrow is a promise
Love is to stay.

Love is all but you
You mean everything to me
You are my strength
You give me inspiration
Everyday, today.

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE

I love you because
Of all other things in life
You understand me
I love you because I find
My Sunset in you.

I love you because
You give so much love to me
I love you because
You give me a place to breath
And you love me too.

//Clifton Pascua

Bukel

2008-01-21T18:26:00.001+08:00

Ti bukel nga intukitko
a sinibugak iti lailo,
ayat ti pinangaladko,
dungngo’t pinangtarakenko
simmantak, rimmungbo
ket saanto pulos agpullo.

Kayawakto ti panawen
ikiddayda’t talingenngen
kadagiti rabii ni umbi
wenno tiempo’t saning-i
ket mataginayon ni lailo
iti bukel nga intukitko.

//Clifton Pascua
April 1, 2007

Bukel

2008-01-21T18:25:00.002+08:00

Nalamiis ‘ta dakulap
a nangitukit iti bukel.
Ket ni ayat
Nagrusing a nagsantak;
dimmakkel.

Kasla idi laeng kalman
a ti daga kimraang.
‘Di na kayat
ti makali, agsangit
a mamulaan.

Kasla idi laeng rabii
a nalusiaw dagiti bituen.
Mabainda a rummuar
ta ti rimatda
nalidem.

Kasla itay laeng bigat
a kimleb ni apo init.
Masadut a sumingising
ta dagiti rayana
kimriit.

Ngem ita pati puso
a nanglaylay, simmaranta
Kas man la bukel nga intukit
nalamiis a dakulap
iti nadam-eg a daga.

//Sherma E. Benosa
March 29, 2007; 11:20pm

Lugar a Naikari

2008-01-21T18:22:00.002+08:00

(arasaasko kenni Sherma iti Lugar a Naikari)

Bay-am nga idiay lugar a naikari ket innakto akilisen
ni dagidagi’n ayat, pudot barukongko’t mangtagiben
ken manglagda kenni Kari tapno inna buangayen
ni namnama ken panagtinnalek ket inna pagrusingen.

Bay-am nga idiay lugar a naikari ket innakto itukit
dagiti bin-i ni namnama, kaduak nga agsibog ni Langit
tapno ti dalanmo ket nalasbang –uray pay addanto pait
bumangonka a sisasantak, dupirem dagiti palso a karit.

Bay-am nga idiay lugar a naikari ket innakto irakurak
timek ni Panagtalek, ayatko kenka innak ipaduyakyak
diakto denggen tanabutob ni umsi wenno ublag dagiti salaksak
ta dagita balikasmo Sherma, iti agnanayon, isunto’t dumngegak.

Bay-am nga idiay lugar a naikari ket ilemmak ti tugot
ti Anghel a kagabayko tapno punasenna dagiti ut-ot
ni pasidumri-ni-ilem ket maandingay rigat ni subbot
tapno maiyaon nagkammayet-dua-a-puso kenni tuok.

Bay-am a sangalek ti pakarso ni panangipateg nga ingget sudi
ken lagaen dagiti tagainep, kinasimbeng ni ayat ti mangtagibi
ket imdengamto ti samiweng ni duayya, ramayko’t nangtibbi
ta ngamin ayatko, sikanto laeng ti kaduak idiay lugar a naikari.

//Clifton Pascua
March 27, 2007

Lugar a Naikari

2008-01-21T18:11:00.001+08:00

Awan kaimudingan
Ladingit ni lagip
Nga umay sumallisallin
Mangburibor iti isip
Ta addaka a mangibabaet
Mangipalpalagip
Ayat ken karin-kari
Dua puso a naglantip.

Ni napudno nga ayan-ayat
Adu a tagainep inna linaga
Nga mangitundanto iti dalan
Agturong kenni inanama
Tapno makadanontanto
Nga awan sawsawirna
Iti dayta lugar a nangayed
naikari para kadata.

Idiay, adunto dagiti sulisog
Ngem dakkelto met ni talek
Idiay adunto dagiti ublag
Ngem saantanto ida italtalek
Idiay adunto dagiti rigat ken suot
Ngem pagbinnuligantanto ida a risuten
Idiay adunto’t anay a mangrakrak
Ngem ditanto ida pagballaigien.

Ta idiay nabuslonto met ti ayat
Kasta met ti panagpinnateg.
Idiay aglaplapusananto iti garakgak
Awanto’t adu a sasaibbek.
Idiay nabuslonto ti isem
Awanto’t adu a sangsangit
Ta idiay, duatanto laeng
Ditanto ammo ti agladingit.

Wen Dungngo
Awanto kaimudingan
Ladingit ni lagip
Mabainto nga umay sumallisallin
Mangburibor iti isip
Ta datanto a dua iti agpinnalagip
Ayat ken karin-kari
Dua puso a naglantip.

//Sherma E. Benosa, 5:30am
For my MCP, myTatang
March 24, 2007, 5am; during my final stopover on my trip to NV

Nagulimek Dagiti Billit Tuleng

2008-01-21T18:06:00.001+08:00

Naulimek ti angin, kumkumpasanna’t aweng
Ken sagawisiw dagiti billit tuleng
A dangdanggayan met dagiti bulong
Mangliklikmot naiisem a sabsabong
A mangpaypayapay, mangaw-awis kenka
Tapno makipagragsakka kadakuada.

Immisemka, ngem apay a napait
Naibus kadin isemmo a nasam-it
Imbunbunongmo kadagiti papagayam
Inarub-obda kadin a naminpinsan?
Naatianan kadin daydi bubon
Pagsaksakduan isemmo naruay a kas danum?

Idiay laud, aggargarakgak ti init
Mangbuybuya mulmula a masinsinit
‘Di mangikankano kadagiti sangit a maip-ipit
Ken rungaab dagiti mula a naiburang-it
Agpapaarayat, dumawdawat iti asi
Sangkabassit a danum a maiwarsi.

Naikulengka, ngem apagapaman laeng
Ta pagamuan adda nangikut kenka nga aweng
A nangidiktar iti aramidem. Wen, gayyem
Luam nagarubosda, ket dagiti mula nagungarda
Ngem anian, saanmon a nakita nasam-it nga isemda
Ta idin, pagayam, ket naglusdoyka.

Nagulimek metten dagiti billit tuleng.

//Sherma E. Benosa;
March 20, 2007

My Home

2008-01-21T18:01:00.003+08:00

It is neither made of steel nor stone
Nor wood nor glass nor iron;
But amidst any misfortune and storm
It stands, magnificent and strong —
Such is my home.

Built not by machine nor by hand
It stands not on a barren land;
On a lofty plane it is nestled deftly
It’s foundation, as hard as anything can be —
Well-built, it must be.

Rooms, it has; and doors and windows, too
All wide open for everyone to pass through;
Walls, I know there is none
And locks, I can’t think of a need for one —
My home welcomes everyone.

Inside, it is warm and soft and cozy
Everyone who visits is hummed a melody;
Its rhythm, not quite out of the ordinary
But its beat, sincere and steady —
In it, I dwell comfortably.

At night, the dweller in my home sleeps peacefully
Of the howling winds, she does not worry;
The wars outside, she is not at all bothered
The good always wins, she is assured —
A secure heart doesn’t easily get injured.

//Sherma E. Benosa
February 26, 2007; 12:37am

Sunset by the Sea

2008-01-21T17:59:00.000+08:00

Fiery shades of red
Dazzle across the canvas;
A tint of orange
Lingers in the Painter’s brush;
Hush the vast expanse.

Enchanting music
Of waves coming home to shore
Serenades the Sun
Lulling in the horizon;
Precious peace, she hums!

Breathtaking colors
Gleam in the serene waters;
A few shades of gray
Serve as the tableau’s backdrop;
What a lovely sight!

Two souls sit in awe
Enthralled by the glorious scene
Flashing above them
The masterpiece, the treasure
Of the Master’s hand.

Two hearts deeply touched
Go warm and supple and lithe
Turn to each other
Talking of love and prom’ses;
A soft vow is made

As gleaming silh’ette
Gracefully makes her entrance;
And li’l sparklers
Disperse themselves far and wide;
Night has fin’lly come.

Sherma Benosa
4/11/2007 11:36:43 PM

Sika Amang

2008-01-21T17:43:00.001+08:00

Natibkerka nga inkam’ nagsadagan
Iti naunday a panawen sika’t kamang
Adigi a nalinteg, naanus a nangiwanwan
Sarikedkedmi, sika laeng Amang.

Sika daydi bukel nagdisso nadam-eg a daga
A rimmusing, nagagawa ket rimmangpaya
Sika ti puon dagiti amin a nagtagisanga
Nga apon dagiti tumatayab, agawidda kenka.

Sika ti urat pagtalaytayan naruay a taraon
Maibisibis kadagiti sanga ken kadagiti bulong
Sika ti sappupo dagiti bunga ken sabong
Nabsogda’t pammagbaga, ta sikat’ salinong.

Palubusannak nga agkurno kenka, Amang
‘Toy bungat’ saringitmo, itandudona dayta nagan
Iti agnanayon sika ti innak pagtamedan
Tibker pammatim, isu’t innak pagtaklinan.

//Sherma E. Benosa; April 12, 2007; 11:07pm
For myAmang, Roman Bona Benosa
on his 88th birthday, March 28, 2007