Still There

we meet again
after long years of
forgotten laughter
I saw your face again
and in the crowd you saw me looking at you
you smile at me
I smiled back as the night
continues to enjoy
every moment of long,
lost and forgotten love
then I caught you
staring back at me
though her arms are around you
tracing the soft garments of your
shirt with her playful fingers
I looked back at you
though I'm with him
dancing, locked in
sweet embrace of new love
when was the last time
we danced, embraced?
do you still remember it?
I dont. do you?
then as the night finally
reached its curtain call
I walk towards you
your eyes waiting for me
could almost feel your
warm arms around me
I bid farewell
you asked, when can I see you again?
I looked at her
then back at you
I smiled and softly kissed
your flushed cheek
in my dreams I'll see
you tonight

Another Chapter

I know it's over

I know it's gone

every time mom throws the calendar

every time a new one hangs on the wall

every time the whole family gathers around

I know it's over

what the next year will bring

that I don't know

that I'm not sure

will it be different from the other year

or is it just a matter of number change?

but I know I'm sure

the passed year brought me tears

brought me laughter

brought me friends I've been searching for a long time

brought me flowers with scent that still lingered

brought me good news in golden wings

brought me bad, sad news in hearse

those things were in suitcase now

the cab's here waiting to take it all away

the ticket's on its pocket

one-way ticket

no turning back, last trip last chapter

in my life's journey

I sniffled

tears with reason I don't know

but it all made me

brave enough

smart enough

strong enough

Pushcart Prize Nomination

Magnapoets Pushcart Prize nominations

Magnapoets is pleased to make our nominations for the 2009 Pushcart Prize. They are as follow:

Iris Dan, nominated for Haifa, 5 March 2003

Sanford Goldstein, nominated for I do not brood

Tarous Jaghory, nominated for A Patchwork Man From A Patchwork City

Bill Kenney, nominated for snow in the city

Lanie Shanzyra P. Rebancos, nominated for Love Me When I Can No Longer Love You

Mariano Zaro, nominated for Enrique, el gitano

Winter Dream

the snow starts early
I lighted a candle and
watched the white angels
fall down from the gray sky.
the wind was biting
leaving blue marks on my fair skin
but it was bearable
compared to the pain in my heart
from missing you.
the screen door bangs against the chilly breeze
as if telling me to come inside
where there is warmth
yet still an empty house filled
with ghosts of you.
next year spring will come
flowers will soon bloom,
ice will melt,
sun will peep in the window curtain
but will you be there?

Alone

the other side of the bed
was empty, creased-free
when I woke up again this morning
forgetting you had to leave
that I have to do things by
myself, alone.
it was already ten A.M.
the sun was high but I
can’t feel the heat
only the coldness of the nights
I tried to bear, endless nights without you.
I dragged myself from the bed
fix a cup of hot coffee
I looked for your favorite mug
but the usual spot was empty
remembering you took it with you.
I took a cold shower
hoping the pain will ease a bit
even for awhile
but the splatter of the water on my face
only mingled with my tears.
dripping wet, I opened my wardrobe
and saw only pastel, soft garments
neatly folded
no faded denims, no dark colored shirts.
quietly I dressed up
went downstairs and I say
goodbye out loud
forgetting again
another slap on my face
that there’s no one will answer back
I crossed down the street
without looking back
why should I
if I knew that it was just
an empty house.