Almost Poets Society

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SHEPHERD'S PIE  by Dave Bernasibo

the ninety-nine say, "Shepherd knows what to do, he'll scare the wolf away!" but the one says he does not believe.

the ninety-nine shun him, call him all sorts of names. they do not believe when he says he saw Shepherd feed the wolf last night.

{APS Member Submission} Quarantine Notes Circa 2020

[almostpoetssociety]

LANGOY by Catherine Acuña

Ang akong pag langoy tambal sakong pag maoy, kay kada adlaw nko gi lamoy, gi lamoy sa kaguol kasakit og kakapoy.

ang tubig akong kasumbungan kung wala man gani dunggan na gusto mo hatag og kasolbaran.

kada buga sakong ginhawa mayta akong kasakit mo hawa og mo kuyog sa mga buwa.

Ang akong pag langoy mura ra nag gukod sakong pangandoy, kay kinahanglan ko mo bira, patid og utong kung mgkalisud.

inig human og pagawas sa mga kasakit na nag awas awas, mgpa lutaw lutaw sa tubig og maminaw sa mga pisik na gi duyogan sa mga shagit na hinay hinay na nipya it.

{APS Member Submission} In the Time of Covid-19 Quarantine 2020

[almostpoetssociety]

LOVE, IN SPITE OF by Valerie T. Our house is divided into two parts / when my mother comes for a visit / Every weekend she brings potatoes, string beans, and meat for lunch / In one side of the house, the aroma of asado and ginisang Baguio beans roams like noon breeze / my mother’s laughter and sudden sighs of exasperation over a week’s worth / of unfolded clothes are plastered / all over the walls / In another side of the house / my father dances to his favorite music / his children’s laughter / and always, there is the wild scent of adobo / and fluffy scrambled eggs, which I still try to master / In this corner, / sometimes there is the painful silence I try to / bury with my hands / but most of the time / I do not have to dig any more soil / I had built an entire graveyard / over the past years / for all my broken bones / and over time / it has become a garden / where butterflies seek for refuge / and birds build nests from fallen leaves / Every weekend / I come home to the same house that taught me / to love, in spite of //

{APS Member Submission}

[almostpoetssociety]

Still searching the infinite? Check out this blissfully sad poem, written by our very own, ME Ava.  Love poetry? Follow APS on: Twitter - twitter.com/thealmostpoets Instagram - instagram.com/almostpoetssociety/ YouTube - bit.ly/utube-aps KtnxbaiTV - bit.ly/utube-ktnxbaiTV

[almostpoetssociety]

OPEN, CLOSE by Wela Midel-Bagsican

I open my eyes The luminous blue skies dripping with sunshine The crystal clear waters gleaming right before me The pristine sand cradling my feet

Open Stars brightly sprinkling with magic Trees towering high, protecting you from whatever harm Birds singing sweet hymns

Open You are home I am home And Earth is our mother The world is ours for the taking The world is our playground And man, did we play

I close my eyes The sky haze wounding my nares Yellow fumes flying around A whiff of stench is all I can breathe

Close Broken bottles, scorched plastics Parched pieces of glass Concrete clutching on to my feet Oceans coughing up thick crude oil

Close Trunks baring abuses Birds no longer chirping Sea life wailing and gasping for air outside the ocean Wildlife missing, going extinct Where are they now? Destined for a slow terrible doom

Close We all reek of an I-don’t-care aroma

Close Mother Earth screams

Close Her hands reach out for help

Close Sands of time have yielded fear

Close Haiti earthquake, over 200,000 dead

Close Sumatra tsunami, more than 300,000 dead; millions missing

Close Hurricane Katrina, 1,833 dead

Close European heat wave, more than 70,000 dead

Close Typhoon Yolanda, reportedly more than 10,000 dead

Close California wildfires, millions of dead trees, thousands of lost homes

Close Close Why do we keep closing our eyes and covering our ears to the cries of Mother Earth?

Open Open please Open your eyes, open our eyes Wake up to reality

Open Reach out Save a mother from dying in the hands of her children No, someone else will not save it We all are going to save it We are each a drop but together we will form an ocean

Open Artists, paint the blue skies it’s stunning beauty again Crafters, recycle, reuse things into a marvel once more Engineers and builders, design our world back to its former glory Storytellers, tell us of the life-giving love of the place we call home For our stories rise and drop with nature

Open or close Which one do you choose? ---

Performed for Greenpeace’s SHIP IT BACK: Plastic Ship Tour 2019 - CEBU. March 15, 2019.

[almostpoetssociety]

Windows to the Soul by Cho Camomot

I see the world differently in your eyes. I see colors of which I am not familiar with. Colors other than black and white. I see not only grey on the palette But rarely seen colors array.

I see the world differently in your eyes I see forms of waves clashing towards me. If I were to be an island, you'd be the sea that kisses my sands each time the wind blows. I be the ship that floats on the surface and you'd be the current that guides me my way.

I see the world differently in your eyes. I see calmness in the storm. I rage rampantly at anything I glide on But somehow you found my center and blew away the pain. I stripped everything from their roots and you shine on the aftermath of my rampage.

I see the world differently in your eyes. I see a warm blanket wrapped around me when I sleep. I feel your fingers run through my hair as it finds it's way in to my dreams. There I felt more than your touch. I felt compassion.

I see the world differently in your eyes. I see happiness. Overloading happiness of which I want to take. And there deeper in your eyes, I stared. I see myself in it And there's no place that I'd rather be. {APS Member Submission} Performed at “Friendzone!” on Feb 14, 2018

[almostpoetssociety]

In Fear of Boundaries by Lara Eviota

Boundaries.

The world is criss-crossed with them So much that I am compelled to thread with care or else I'll end up somewhere I don't belong

Like a thief before a guarded safe. Bumbling through CCTVs and laser fields Scouring through places where I am all but welcome

Like a man walking blind. No sight, no cane, not a single aid No stars to plot directions No guide to leave you trails No fences to set limits

No traffic lights to tell me when to move or where to move No signages no posts no notices to tell me I'm where I'm supposed to go No doors to walk through, no dividers just one massive space

It's a hullabaloo of stormy boundaries and I'm standing still in the eye of the storm

Storms. That's what I felt when I fell for you, my friend That's what I felt when along with the blossoming of our friendship came the blossoming of a different kind of love.

Love. Love sprouted right off of my heart ricocheting everywhere in tiny yet ever constant instances Like pinballs Hitting me in the guts Over and over and over.

That's what made me confess Shaking like a shitting dog Sweating like a gym buff Face red like strawberry fields forever Stuttering incomprehensive Heart beating out of chest Words pulsating of truth that know no bounds

And I confess Not hoping for a yes or a merge in our boundaries.

I'm not asking for permission, I'm not asking for THAT space. I'm a blind man walking and I just wanted to know where I stood. Good God, I just wanted to know where I stood.

So you don't have to like me You don't have to feel the same way All I'm asking is Help me know my boundaries Help me set my limits

Because even if I get away with Robbing the bank undetected Or Walking blind through the red light and the heat of a traffic jam It's still breaching boundaries And I've no desire of breaching your space Encroaching into your embrace Your arms shouldn't hold me in that way If they don't want to. {APS Member Submission} Performed at “Friendzone!” on Feb 14, 2018

[almostpoetssociety]

If Only Love Had A Name by Dave Bernasibo

If only love had a name, I’d call it out I’d call it out everytime it gets shrouded in doubt Everytime it stumbles, I’d call it out And steal a kiss from its adorable pout

If only love had a name, it wouldn’t be so ordinary People would be careful is saying it, surely You wouldn’t want to tarnish someone’s name so badly That it would lose its meaning and become rusty

If only love had a name, it wouldn’t be seen as an object But rather, people would treat it with high respect Like how a king is treated by his subjects And not just as if it were a mere insect

If only love had a name, I’m sure it would be beautiful Like a princess in her dress, so wonderful Now if only love had a name, I’d say it would be – excuse me lovely lady, what was your name again? {APS Member Submission} 

[almostpoetssociety]

Frailty by Marjorie

Caught a momentary stillness, A pause to calm my own storm; Distrusted myself unconsciously, Unspeaking and horrified for too long.

And for all these writhing and wailing and raping my thoughts, Afflictions I allowed to feed on; Withered by all the senses that I fought; All has left me with callous conditions. I stood on countless edges, Breathing suffocating silence, Ached containing all these violence not to sever you; You're the distance getting closer  that I never wanted to end. Proclaiming abhorrent sorrows scarred all over my head. {APS Member Submission}

[almostpoetssociety]

Biyaheng Forever by Cho Camomot

Kung kamo nagatuo nga ang gugma mura ranag storya sa usa ka makata, dira kamo nasayop. Dili na siya pantasya sa libro, nga imo rang lantawon, imo rang basahon Kundi mura na siyag byahe sa sugbo, nga kailangan nimo lakwon. Kailangan nimo suruyon.

Ang gugma dili lang kay magtuyuk tuyuk ka sa iyang hunahuna ug dira raka taman kundi kailangan pud ka magtuyuk tuyuk sa iyang kinabuhi, iyang kalibutan. Imong tanawn kung asa ka dapit mulugar. Asa ka angay mu naog. Ug kibaw pud ka kung kanusa ka mu irog. Irog lag gamay kay naa pa diay.

Naa pa kuno. Abi nimog sakto, pero nagkulang pa. Nagkulang pa pero sa imong hunahuna murag puno na. Karon nagkasikit sikit na, nagka apiki na. reklamo dire, reklamo dira Wala tay mahimo, nisakay man ta.

Nasulayan na nako ang tanan. Ang kapaspas ug ang kahinay sa gugma. Naa puy mga higayon nga ganahan naka mu give up. Nga ganahan naka muhunong sa tunga tunga. Pero sa paglabay sa oras Sa sige nimog yawyaw Sa sige nimog tagawtaw Nga ganahan naka munaog. Ganahan naka maglakaw lakaw Wala naka kabantay nga naabot naka sa punto nga humana na diay ang tanan. Naabot naka sa lugar kung asa ka ganahan. Dira rapud ka nakamatngon Nga mas maayo pa nga mubyahe ka Bisag init, Sikit-sikit, Bumper to bumper, Wala’y paki as long as you're together. Mas ganahan paka sa imong biyahe. Imong biyaheng forever. {APS Member Submission} Photo by: Samantha Almaden

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Sentimyento by M.E. Ava

Sa bawat luha na tumatagaktak Sa namumula mong pisngi Patungo sa namumutla mong labi Ang latak ng tahanang sawi Ang siyang nagpapakirot Sa maninipis mong balat Na balot ng sigalot Di mo malilimot ang kahapon na puno ng tawanan Saan na nga ba napunta ang masasayang pinagsamahan?

Itinakwil ang sumpaan Na kailanman walang iwanan Tila ba isang bangkang papel Dahan-dahan sa pagtiklop Hangad ay perpektong mukha Kahit di mo naman masikmura Ang hampas ng dakilang alon Kumakabig sa gumuguho mong damdamin Paano nga ba mapapawi ang dulot na pighati?

Tinuruan mo ko ng pagtiwala Hinangad ko ang pag-asa Hinintay ko ang pagtawa Subalit … Natuto ako ng pagkamuhi Natanaw ko ang pagtatapos Nadatnan ko ang parusa Parusa na sana… “Sana…” {APS Member Submission} Photo by: Marj Avanzado

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Misery On Loop by Marjorie

Savage me for your vanity. To be emptied between beautiful words. I'd take all else for granted, Shut off all sounds but your voice. Addicted to the longing that erases all dreams and desires; My sense of worth is in your attention. My freedom -- abandoned in your arms. Discard me for somebody else's pleasure; I'd only lose myself for another one's charms.

And then you came...

And savaged me for your vanity. I'm emptied between beautiful words. All my senses eroded, I don't see any other choice. For in keeping myself occupied, I felt a chance of living once more, Demanded and scorned the world to satisfy, My sickness is my only cure.

{APS Member Submission} Performed at "Mga Masamang Balak", APS' second anniversary event on Nov 25, 2017.

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Fairy Tale by Adi Raey

You have clenched your fists more times than you have opened them There are hands reaching out for you But deep down that well is where you feel grounded Welcoming a stranger’s lips speaking familiar promises is a dangerous thing And that’s what you always say to yourself Before you realize you have already fallen for that smile

You can still remember the time your mother told you not to kiss someone wearing someone else’s vows in their fingers She told you this after giving you another book of fairy tale you used to believe in Until, on your twelfth birthday, you saw her kissing one And you've never seen her again for the next six years

At eighteen You were running down the stairs of a motel at 6:15 in the morning Holding your shoes and tears altogether Afraid Not of getting caught by his wife But by knowing that at the end of the day, he’d still choose her You'd keep running away from her like mascara running down your cheeks And he’d still run home to her Over And over

You see, there is someone Whose monsters can get along with your monsters Who can create butterflies in your stomach with hand-me-down words of love Who keeps his ring in his pocket, but you still let him leave his pants on your bedroom floor Who shows you that there is a kind of love that you hide in the tower yet you still let your hair down You shiver, but you leave your doors unlocked Because maybe Just maybe This could be a fairy tale too

Performed during Almost Poets Society’s second anniversary event, Mga Masamang Balak, November 25, 2017.

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Falling In Love Arc by Louise Francis Ouano

She’s walking with her heart out alone; Flashes of her smile are just pouring out. Can’t imagine that soon she will be gone Because summer's sun always ends in south But even though; trust my love with no doubt For you’re the only one who shook my heart From the stillness that runs up to my mouth. Your stare pierced my heart faster than a dart. I know its love even though I’m not that smart To learn the lessons that love has taught me. So come on now girl, let’s ride this love cart Down a track where the end we can’t foresee. Because the way I see it, you're the "it" On my every, "Damn, this is fucking it." {APS Member Submission} Performed in IGNITE / May 21, 2016

[almostpoetssociety]

Ang Gugma Murag Lakaw sa Colon sa Gabie by Elle R.

Barato na utanon Mas barato na lawas Mga edipisyo na murag beterano sa giyera sauna Mga eskina na wala ka kahibaw asa padulong Kini ang Colon sa gabii.

Ang tanan paglaom buhii kung diri ka muagi kay wala ka kahibaw maunsa ka ma dunggaban ma kawatan ma ligsan ma saag

Wala ka kahibaw kinsa imo maila-ila sa daplin sa dalan holdaper pusher burikat mangingilad

Wala ka kahibaw unsay mawala nimo imong pitaka imong kalipay imong kaugmaon imong pagkataw

Wala ka kahibaw unsay makuha nimo insomnia STD labad sa ulo sakit sa dughan

Ang Colon hadlok gubot ngit-ngit pero diri daghan ka matilawan Daghan ka makat-onan Daghan ka makuha na handumanan

Dili ma completo imo pagpuyo sa Sugbu Kung dili ka musuway ug agi sa Colon sa gabii. {APS Member Submission} Performed in THIS CITY NEVER SLEEPS (Gutter Poetry) / September 24, 2016 Photo Credit: Louise Ouano

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Hello, Sunshine By Dave Bernasibo

Sunshine painted the skies in technicolor Mid-day lit up the school of green and yellow filled with smiles and echoes of laughter Sunset

Sunshine 7 a.m. corridors

Beautiful faces waltzing in different paces

6 p.m. has empty floors Sunset

Sunshine School colors The sweet scent of sweat

Cries of victory and defeat Sunset

Sunshine Study-outs Replaced the night-outs Textbooks in place of literature Sunset

Sunshine I still haven’t slept “I’m fine, I’ve got a little left”

Sunset The silence whispered to me, Over and over “a flop, that’s all that you are.”

Midnight The wan sky unlit But I could see it

The end, The finish line tied in a loop

Stood on a stool peered into the loop And there I saw Sunshine {APS Member Submission} Photo credit: http://sf.co.ua

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Candle Burns by M.E. Ava Your eyes shine like fairy tales in a forgotten land Bringing lost ships back to the cradle of sand Your lips boil man’s desire in agony Its flames scorch their throat with blasphemy Your soul is a canvass of ruins and tainted dreams Travelling lonely sheets of passionate screams Candle burns, candle yearns These idle hands grope every turns Intense beating of the blessed clock Upon this hour you are to nock Close the door and break the wall Let the candle burn your soul The universe we share cries your burning name As I caress your melting body to reclaim Pulling dimensions of reality Into a conscious moment denied of sanity A cloth to embellish your steaming virtue A fire to put out the flame in you

{APS Member Submission} Photo credit: thoughtco.com