Annie Mercolita Cirera

A Leaf of Hope Its hue projects the nature’s guise; Swaying lightly with much delight; As the wind blows its finest twig; Its firmness I saw as the growing fig; Just bounces with it high and low; That even a bit of fear, this did not show. Alas! Here comes the more gusty moment, That seemingly increases the leaf’s torment; Making it take a swerving motion, Yet, to the branch ‘tis still sticking on; Its resilience seems not faltering, Despite the breeze’s surreal flinging. Gradually, the squall as if has conked out, Beaten by the wrath of his gout; That despite its indomitable spirit, Has found a restful way to quit; Giving the leaf a chance to inhale, the daylight’s aroma which did prevail. With this sight I reached a sheer epiphany, That life indeed is full of misery; No matter how one conceives his life to be at ease, Still bitterness comes out of a tempest’s squeeze; Yet, with one who is persevering, Nothing will keep him ailing. ‘Twas the leaf that touched my senses, And let me saw the stark realityAlbeit one is plunged into the chasm of encumbrances, There comes a halo of hope, Disclosing the ultimate opportunityTo seize the “seed of triumph” beneath a lope. A NOTE TO REMEMBER Once there was a young tree; Enmeshed in the jungle of innocence, Surrounded by the huge trunks of questions and challenges, Swayed by the air of melancholy and emptiness. Upon the touch of the morning sunlight Its leaves blossom and strongly forbid the hole of weakness; With the care of alluring hand, It was nurtured and flowered. With the caress of the pouring rain It flourished and bore fruits; Yet, behind its state of fruitfulness, lies the roots of feebleness. Just as the fate plays with its twigs, Comes the longing for the presence of birdsBirds to build on it their nests, As a way of appreciating its usefulness. As twilight came, its pores whisper a prayer; “Oh, Lord let me stand still against the wickedness of men” Then its heart softly speaks and yearns for angels to sing, And keep it safe from whatever the night may bring. Suddenly an old tree gently clasps its branch and says“My dear young tree, I know what you need, I am aware of what you desire,, I understand what your heart and soul seek for, And I did learn what you want”. “So before you fall asleep, I wonna lay these words on your mind Life is a game, so you must strive to win it, Never fret when storms strike, Never lose hope when the world seems so cruel, Never shrivel when the sun blows so hot, And never quiver when the dark frightens you. Rather, amass your strength and stand steadily. Draw out your courage and face all the troubles bravely, For only through these, that you can grow higher So no one can pull you down easily”. When I’m Troubled The rage of perplexity often shakes my spirit; twists my sanity and thereby earns its merit; ‘Tis my screaming mind that sends the bellows to your side; Suddenly your soul rambled To reach my core that’s so troubled; There appears your opened palm, ready to catch my anxious tears; With simple caress that made me calm; My heart is saved from fears, So, then my inkling leaps to tell me, ‘tis your presence that gently sets my troubles free. 08-24-14 When I’m Troubled The rage of perplexity often shakes my spirit; twists my sanity and thereby earns its merit; ‘Tis my screaming mind that sends the bellows to your side; Suddenly your soul rambled To reach my core that’s so troubled; There appears your opened palm, ready to catch my anxious tears; With simple caress that made me calm; My heart is saved from fears, So, then my inkling leaps to tell me, ‘tis your presence that gently sets my troubles free. 08-24-14 Once I Thought I’m a Billionaire Turn on the faucet, switch off the light! That marks the woman’s nuisance of the child’s delight. Then I shut her up with bills of thousands, Golly! Her glimmering face swiftly turns to her errands. I left the scene with my mind muttering, How quickly the sum changed the mortal’s bearing. Along the way, a hut on its last legs caught my sight, That the glowing pity in me did ignite, So, I laid a box full of dosh by the door, Enough to quench the dweller’s clamor. Later , my instinct led me to a crowded place, Where a crying father is fetched by the chariot of disgrace, His present plight is caused by a serious state, Of his beloved wife’s darker fate To battle against the fist of ailment Thus made him take the fire of detriment. Then I handed him 6-digit total of bucks, Ample for bail and for sickbay’s fee To keep them both from the tempts of pucks, And finally toss them into the couch of glee. By and by, I found myself amidst the group of innocents sobbing, Pleading for alms to save themselves from starving, Gladly, my hands were off from my pocket, Reaching out the palms of these people Led them to the firm of red carpet To satiate their yearning for care that’s so simple, For such a wealthy one who knows no limit, When it comes to lifting those that are bereft… Alas! What a misfortune when I regained my senses, Bracing myself as I just fell in despair, Cause I woke up with the reality, that nothing really I possess As I’m only dreaming, I was once a billionaire. 08-26-14