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Yellow
(A Poem for Cory Aquino)
August 1, 2009

Your death shall not make us
wear black.
We shall wear yellow--
the yellow of our flag's sun,
the yellow of its rays.

In this orphaned land
we shall remember
your yellow dress,
the yellow ribbons,
the L-sign of your lifted hands.

Our hearts mourn
for your passing away.
Our lips continue to give thanks
and pray.

On earth
you have given us freedom.
And so, ascend to the heavens
and soon send us a rainbow.
You are Mother, Icon, Saint.
God has made for you and for us
another shade of yellow.

WILLIAM SIENES III
 
 
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A poem for Michael Jackson
by William Sienes III

Your white glove
now reminds me of a dove
with wounded wings,
released from the cage
of your life's many painful dramas.

Free, flying,
perhaps moonwalking now,
you are somewhere
singing new songs
with angels.
While here I am left
in tears
with your classic evergreens
and enigma.

Dance and sing
for me again, Michael,
will you?
There's no one else
like you I can find.

King of Pop, amaze me
one more time
even on the dancefloor
of my mind.
 
 
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A POEM FOR NORA AUNOR
BY BILLY SIENES

Railways and trains
and peddled water
are the icons
on our minds
as we wait for you
to return
with a miracle.

The stars are dimming,
waiting
for you, the Superstar
to reappear
in the murky firmament.
You, again glorious,
visible.

Come back here
where voices
are often shrill
and piercing.
Come back singing
with your voice
even more golden
than the sunrises
and sunsets
of our waiting.

Return with eyes riveting,
cast a glance
on our silver screen
that is fading.
Perform wonders again
with potrayals
of Woman, even of Man.
Blow them away
again.

You’ve had
your crucifixions,
our Superstar.
You have bled enough.
Many still believe
in your resurrection.

And in your homecoming,
it will be us
who shall offer you
waters of devotion.

 
 

Sa Iyo Pa Rin
ni Ellen Alejano

Ginintuan mong tinig ay pumailanlang
Mula noon ikaw ay naging tampulan
Payak daw ang iyong anyo at may kaliitan
Kulay mo ay lupa, kayumangging kaligatan

Walang pagbabadya ang iyong kasikatan
Buong sambayanan ay naalimpungatan
Namumukod-tangi ang angking kaibahan
Akala ng karamihan ay panandalian lang

Sa puting tabing ikaw ay nanggising
Inilarawan mo ay buhay namin na magiting
Pasang-krus na ang bigat ay pasalin-salin
May kurot sa puso kung aming dadamhin

Buhay mo ay isang bukas na aklat
Bawat pahina ay kaabang-abang
Masaya at malungkot ang mga kabanata
Ang unos ay tila walang katapusan

Nadadapa ngunit muli’t muling bumabangon
May pulot na aral ang bawat pagkakamali
Sa kahinaan ay umuusbong ang bagong lakas
Tuwina’y bukas ang pag-asa na may laang ngiti

Aming Inang bayan huwag kalimutan
Tunay na sining mula sa iyo ay pasalamatan
Kamkamin at pagyamanin sapagkat ito’y kayamanan
Kasama ng iyong alamat na nakaguhit na sa kasaysayan

Maraming kahapon na ang lumipas
May mga bukas pa na haharapin
Ngunit hindi mawawala
Hindi rin magbabago
Paghanga at pagmamahal namin
Ay sa iyo pa rin . . .

Mahal naming Nora Aunor
Sa iyo ang huling halakhak
Sa iyo ang walang katapusang palakpak
Natatangi at ubod-ningning na bituin
Ikaw pa rin . . .
Sa iyo pa rin . . .