Autumn Tales

Today, as we celebrate Rizal's day, I would like to pay my tribute to the heroes of this pandemic (that we all have suffered from this year).

The Medical Frontliners.

Since the start of this global crisis, people stopped, operations stopped, jobs were ended, while the world keeps on rotating reminding us that life still goes on and forcing us to catch up with it while everyone was stuck at home.

Then we were able to adapt.

Funny how we are able to recognize someone we know even behind the mask and the face shield, even if we did not see them for a very long time.

Finally, we were able to survive Christmas after everything that happened.

And all because we have these heroes fighting constantly this battle. 

Rescuing everyone in need until they cannot rescue even their own selves. 

Keeping their fighting spirit until their own spirit was taken away from them.

Fighting for our lives until they cannot even fight for their own lives.

I am one of them.

And I have lost a lot of colleagues because of this pandemic.

I recently lost a friend (also a Medical Frontliner) just this week, because of this pandemic.

So there is no one better to dedicate this year's tribute but to these heroes.

To all the fallen ones...

I salute your fighting spirit!

Your death means a life was lived worthy.

Quiricada

(Autumn Tales For the Fallen Ones)

In the way ward streets

Busy and untidy

It was there I met

The man who taught me things.

He was old enough 

And knows too well

He used to drink and puff

But oh! He was my Shaibel.

I would run to him

Whenever I get caught

A fight or a whim

By bullies and sloths.

But it was only almost

A couple of years

That I forever lost

A friend, dear.

I don't want to believe

I swear I didn't.

But I fear I am not deceived

That he had his last breath.

In the way ward streets

Of my new found home

I had my last greet

To him and he's gone.

Fallen! Oh! The fallen ones!

It was Wednesday that we part

And it's only Tuesday and you're gone,

I even gave you a piece of art.

In the way ward streets,

Of autumn tales and setting suns,

I salute your fighting spirit

And all of the fallen ones.

Footnotes:

In memory of a fallen friend.

Another medical frontliner taken by this pandemic.

Footsteps

Did I came like the Grinch

On a Christmas eve?

I meant to give you gifts

And never leave.

But  I walked away 

Just like that.

Not that I don't care

I just can't handle math.

I can't dare see you 

Leaving that door.

So I walked on first,

My Footsteps on the floor.

Afternoon Blue tea on a cozy, almost-vacay mode, work hours.

We're ready for Christmas...

Cause we survived this year.

Thankful and blessed.

SeVEn YeaRs

Seven years

Of an apology 

That never came.

Maybe you fear,

Or you don't feel guilty

Or you're ashame.

Seven years

Of a sorry

That never came.

Maybe it's not clear

Or it is all blurry,

Or I'm just waiting in vain.

Seven years

And I'm happy

For I am no longer waiting for that apology so lame.

For I no longer fear

And I'm never guilty

Nor ashamed.

I lived with my...

Conscience clear,

A heart that is never empty,

And my soul full of lessons learned.

The Queen

And it all worth the pain.

Pain turns a princess into a warrior queen. 

That is why when we were young we wear the crown of our youth...

But as we grow old... 

We wear a much beautiful crown. The crown made out of our bruises and scars. 

That makes us more worthy to be called beautiful. 

That makes us worthy to be called a queen.

Because we proved ourselves worthy of our own empire. 

After all, 

No one wants a weak queen.

A queen is always strong.

And Strong is always Beautiful.♥️ 

Strong coffee.

Good music.

Paperworks.

And Cute loafers.

All in a day's work.

Isn't it good...

Norwegian wood.

Toffee Nut

Since the start of this year... 

With the pandemic embracing our world...

Never underestimate the power of coffee.

This is actually my first time to dine out of the house this year due to lockdown issues and too much work at the hospital.

While watching "The Trial of Chicago 7"... 

All I could think of is the book of Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird

I have always found self-righteous people to be obsessed with self, and seldom righteous.

-MICHAEL FAUDET

I was invited by the Urban Skyscapes for my photo to get featured on their page.

This is my entry.

my arms grew tired

from constantly reaching so i wrapped them around myself and allowed them to rest...

- NamE bowL

Spotify just wrapped up my 2020 hit list for me... 

Here it goes...

Augustana for the win... Again.

Late Elegies

Could you give me peace...

With all my late elegies?

For you are the best laws,

Even with all your flaws,

That I never had...

And will never have.

So may I find peace...

With these late elegies.

Till I find the missing piece

Of the life of tragedies.

And with all the unfolding mysteries...

I will be at peace...

Waiting for my final breeze.

With my own elegies.

The Greenhouse Effect

If there is one thing brighter than the sunshine...

Then it is tomorrow.

But if there is one thing brighter than tomorrow...

Then I say...

It is your SMILE.

So full of hope.

So warm and so contagious.

If there's one thing I would like to tell you if I could talk to you again... (And I wish I could, though it wouldn't be possible anymore) is that... I always consider you as my second Dad. 

I'm sorry I was never there.

I'm sorry I didn't thank you enough.

I'm sorry I was not the one.

I miss our small talks that would go on from afternoons up to sunsets... Sometimes it goes beyond it.

I'm always entertained by your stories.

Always feel special whenever I passed by your house and you would invite me inside your home and your wife - Ermats, will prepare some snacks. Then we'll talk just about everything and anything .

Those conversations meant a lot to me.

Didn't I once said that you were like the sunset...

Old but beautiful...

Because as sunset is to a day done...

Yours is a life lived.

Thank you for for all the advises and memories.