Favorite Filipino Poems

Tracing You

by Kristina Aquino

Imagine the train tracks,

the train speeding away from you.

We were somewhere

and someone else a minute ago.

So I give you this,

the poet, the imagined martyr,

unmoving in her seat--she is one

of the firsts, she is daybreak today--

it does nothing but stare back.

She is so still the train stops with her.

"Cubao", she mouths.

Imagine the train tracks,

the train speeding away from

you, Cubao.

We were with you

some minute ago.

There are buildings

on the way to the end of the line,

but structure

eliminates the idea of a horizon.

It is sad when imagined things

start dying, too.

No rest

by Kyo Zapanta

It's time for me to rest for a while

My condition is not that good

But hell, I can't seem to leave behind

Whatever it is that I must do

I know it’s been in overtime

I shouldn’t be here anymore

But that workaholiart of me

Seem to like the stress in store

But then again by head’s in pain

My body is just saying no

My eyes are swollen and tears are forming

I could cry in stress ever so

But I wouldn’t cry even if I feel it

For when I do I’ll be okay

Then I would again want to work

And I’ll be working for the rest of the day

Who Am I

by Brian Joseph Sy

Who am I to blindly believe that?

I can become parcel of this sacred ground?

To pretend that I am a strong wind

to guide your ever sturdy wings

Who am I to change this persistent blue rain?

To pretend that I can wash the sorrows away

from your ever beating heart

Who am I to care for this mortified soul?

To pretend that sanctity ascends in my

figureless touch…

I am none. Transcending only the littlest of

existence only meager eyes could see.

In the skies I plead alms

to catch your merciful grace;

To rescue me from this

lonesome cloud of misery

that I call self.

Last Love

by J.D. Mariposa

Best of friends

together took a leap

Now true friends

ahh! feelings run deep

Two hearts fused

hands ever entwined

Ti's all worth the wait

to care for one as kindly

Never never too late

to love but not blindly

So, to you my friend first,

my last love, i say

I'll be true every and

each of my waking day!

Now I Know

by Jose Paulo Tolentino

Seven months felt like seven years

and now I face my greatest fears

Why before I could never wait

but now I know the heavy weight.

In a strange world, a mad city,

it is tough to be an adult

you take responsibility

to bear frustration and insult

There are days I would like to die

life is not pretty as it seem

Leave this and what do I redeem?

many I have learned is just a lie

They say I should create a goal

Love and life is what you make it

but somehow it just could not fit

All I have is a hollow soul

From here I don't know where to go

Being an adult, now I know.

My Favorite Filipino is Last Love by J.D. Mariposa

Reaction:

I choose this poem because of all the poem's I've read, I think this is the best one. It shows how love conquers every problem and difficulties we thought that it would never exist. As long as the person you loved is with you, you became motivated and active in every walk that you take. You can do things beyond limits and then you also learn that when you loved, its risky. So take every step of your way and learn from your mistakes.