Who Inspires You?

After about two years of neglecting to post anything in this blog, I've finally decided how best to use it. As you probably know, I've been teaching English in the Philippines since 2010. This semester, in our Creative Writing class, I was inspired by the poetry that our 3rd year (university) English Majors have been writing. So I decided this blog would be a great place to share some of it with all of you. 

I've tried to choose work that moved me, as well as my Counterpart, Ma'am Cynthia, and their classmates when shared in class. Many of them involve themes that I found to be common to the Filipino experience or that spoke to a larger, universal audience. Some are most powerful when heard performed by the poet, but I hope that their messages will translate in text as well. I did not edit the poems, so they are copied here exactly as the student wrote them, with the permission of the student. 

For this first set of poems, the prompt was provided by a friend and poet, Crystal Catalan, after she facilitated a short spoken word performance poetry workshop with them. The prompt was to write a poem about someone who you admire or someone who inspires you. She gave them a few tips such as:

 - What does your heart feel when this person is around?

 - What happens to your stomach when this person walks in to the room?

 - What's the weather like?

 - Pay attention to all of your senses

We only gave them about 30 minutes to write, and we were blown away with the results. I've selected some for you to read, and included the one I wrote while they were writing. Enjoy!

My Inspiration

by Abegail C. Betudio

T’ was a bright morning of June

and the 28^th day of the month;

It may be just a simple day

but it is a special one for me.

You walked in the room with the food you prepared

You don’t smell that fresh but your eyes full of gladness.

I’m reminded that I am really that blessed,

Having you in my life is my most precious treasure.

You said a prayer I listened to,

You prayed for things that are not for you,

They’re all for me, for my dreams to come true.

After you prayed, I looked at you

You greeted me and I thanked you;

But my heart jumped when you hugged me tight

‘Coz it was the first time you did that.

I can’t help my self but cry that time

because your love was poured to mine.

I hugged you back so long and tight

and felt so blessed with that “birthday gift”.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, remember that

You’re the only one best DAD of mine.

Untitled

by Jamaica Buscaino

Drip, drip, drop, drop

As I awaits for your arrival,

I watch for the rain...

And in a blink of an eye,

You're there walking towards me.

The rain suddenly turns into little crystals,

The boring ambiance of the place turns romantic

And it's like only you and me,

Staring at each other like no tomorrow.

Now you're mine legally,

We are bonded not only by the law,

We are one in the name of love

And death will only set as apart.

You're my strength when I'm in my weakest,

You shower me with so much gladness,

You pour so much love

And you give to much devotion to me.

You make my bleak life into colorful one,

You serve as my inspiration through everything.

You even become a hero in time of trouble

And I thank you for all of that.

You're the air that I breath,

You're the one who makes my heart pounds,

And when I lose you....

I will never exist again!!!

Untitled

by Jay- r Aluyen

how can i cage this heart

wanting to get loose, wanting to search you

how can i forget you 

when every time i see

a thing from you

something in me burn so intensely

this longing to see you

so sweet were your words

yet you went away

so warm was my palm

before you let go of mine

i saw your photo

and the sun glowed with radiance

our memoirs that was burned

from the ashes reborn

Untitled

by Wilfer Bangcoleng

A silhouette from the outside light

I blink! Once……. Twice to see if I’m right

And yes! It is a lady

Her presence makes me crazy

My heartbeat began to rush

Like my world is going to crash

Sweat appear, on my palm and then it is all over me

Body temperature rising to 40 degree

Visible enough, I see Venus down to earth

I asked myself, Olympus goddess number thirteenth?

She opened her mouth and I hear harmony from Apollo’s lyre

Eyes staring like precious myre

From her beautiful face down…..down to her leg

And oh! To all of you I beg

Disgusting! A lady with man’s toes

She posses nothing else but the feet of Kronos

Inspired

by Me :)

OH
EM
GEE!
These stairs!

As  you climb them, the day's frustrations fell
Right off my shoulders
One

Chip
At
A
Time

Your cheerful greeting
Between caught breaths
Drowned the sound of the relentless rain
Your bright smile illuminated the dim hallway
As we scurried off to the anxiously awaiting class

Inspired
Challenged
Heard
Understood
Entertained

Even if 90 minutes lang
They can feel the force of your friendship
That I've been fortunate to bask in
 

Now you're leaving
And soon I won't be able to ignore the rain anymore
It will still be here, but you won't

Without you, who will do the job of the sun?

OH
EM
GEE!

GIRL!

I wish you didn't have to leave me!

SHOOT!

You can read more about Crystal's experience in our class here:

http://missionofgrace.blogspot.com/2012/07/poetry-for-senses.html 

The students have access to this blog as well, so if you like their work, feel free to let them know by leaving a comment. 

:)

I had another late entry from a student. This student is excellent at performing her poetry and making her audience feel the emotion. I wish you could've seen this performed, but I hope you'll enjoy reading it none the less...

Admiration Poem

In Dedication to “You”

Heads down
My fingers poking the bubble gum
                stuck under my armchair
I suddenly smell something quite familiar
I stood up and froze
“Oh my gosh he’s coming!”
I pretended to be busy as he entered the room
My heart goes “Bodoom! Baddom!” to “Boom”
It’s ready to explode at his presence
I sat down put my hands on my chin
And I go “ Haaaaaa….”
Then he started “Good morning class!”
Those were the only words that I remember
 Because the rest of the lecture
I was imaging things…
Him and me, running in the beach
Holding hands
Both of us looking at each other
And finally…
“Miss Padeo!” I jumped up!
And all of them were starin’ at me
I felt a hot stingy sensation
Filling in my face, my ears, my cheeks, eyes
                nose, chest, even in my feet!
“Please erase the board” then he fixed his things
                And walked away