Author: poetryfest

It was just from an impulsive decision but that decision probably made me who I am today.

It was the year 2016 when I was dealing with a tough mindset and I had to divert myself from stressful things. I just found out that National Bookstore has this yearly event called The Philippine Readers and Writers Festival every August. Followed by the Manila International Book Fair every September.

A brief about this event – its the biggest convention for all readers and writers, filled with talks, book signings, and writing workshops. Its also held in Raffles Hotel function rooms.

It was the 3rd and last day when Lorie, Nikka, and I decided to attend because Abbey Sy has her schedule of talk on that day. Of course, it won’t stop just right there. What we did is we checked the schedule brochure and look for something interesting about this event…

Even when I’m folding my wings I’m very aware

of the wordflow waiting…

phrases seeking

another river,

another poem

from within my heart.

I’m grieving like many of you over the deadly racism in the United States.

Do we have a right to criticize other nations? It’s a sin really from our very beginning.

And I also grieve for how the far-right is ripping us apart. Caring more for their assault rifles than they do for people.

Closer to home my wife needs further treatments for cancer. The last round was not enough.

There will be more aggressive, more invasive treatments and that means more horrible side effects.

And we had a cousin die recently…..from cancer. This was the cousin that had the big family gatherings every year…

for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’ve eaten at their home many times. He was in his forties, married with children.