VDS Group Online

On Frater Rudy's poem The Grand Deception

Please let me express appreciation for the lines you posted
How beautiful! How clever! To the inner being resonated
Hope readers deeply ponder every word, be enlightened
The wisdom of "The Grand Deception" will long reverberate.

The idea of reacting came quickly while meditating
As I reflect on what next topic will be worth writing
Why not try the notion of rhyming conversation, who knows
The simple exchange of views may turn into long discourse.

When started, hope others think how to join the band
Maintain your writing style, keep tickling the mind
Ideas, research, schemes; maybe Filipino or English
Isn't it exciting? Anticipating replies, how fun to relish!

Candle flame

Late night gazing at the candle flame
Outside, there's heavy pouring rain
Flame dancing, flickering golden yellow
Then appeared multi-colored halo.

When fixated, the mind goes blank
Only the eye and the flame in the dark
Suddenly a deafening thunder blast
Followed by a scintillating lightning flash.

Flame hold on to the wick to stay alive
Bend forward, backward or to the right
Slowly steadying til it stand upright
Keep gazing at the candle flame at night.

Misunderstandings

Far across my airport resto table
Quietly sat a lovely young couple
No talking, no sweet glances, just waiting
As waiter delivered their food for sharing.

To my surprise, lady suddenly burst into tears
Lifted his eyes from the phone, man is clueless
Conversation inaudible, the beauty still crying
Man's gaze fixed on her, "What's the problem?"

So young, so in love, why the glitch?
"Let's talk about it, have it fixed."
Prevent misunderstandings from happening
So disheartening to see lovers breaking.

Got so engrossed in my thoughts of love
Floating in sweet reverie, having loads of that
Instantly remembered it's time for my flight
Saw the couple walking, fading out of sight.

Laughter

It was a five-hour long drive
In a countryside, a bumpy ride
Driver's humor to ease our mind
Turned to nonstop laughter, no rewind!

How joyous! So free to laugh out loud!
Jokes, anecdotes, funny stories never run out
Time's forgotten, stayed awake with enthusiasm
To be ready with snappy witticism.

Suddenly transported to funny images
Baby's laughter, distorted adorable faces
Lips stretched to the ear, pinkish gums bared
Adults so entranced as babies cheered.

Hear children's laughter when playing
With other kiddies, bursts so fascinating
Tonsils exposed, giggling uncontrollably
Their eyes rolling, glowing wonderfully.

See a grown son make his dad laugh
How moving, a hearty chuckle from old Pop
He made him joyful when he was young
Time to return the favor, make his last days fun.

Consciousness now back to the car in motion
Laughter still pervades the air, never broken
Time to disembark, this trip will be remembered
With all the antics and loads of laughter!

The sweetest smile

Having a handful of kids is such a grace
Paint frequent smiles on parent's face
Though many times they play naughty
Even that, they make the family happy.

Every child's arrival, though now forgotten
That special moment, emotions heighten
Both parent's smile is the sweetest
Their baby's face is the cutest.

Eldest daughter when small enrolled in ballet
First time to perform on stage at recital day
Looked for the parents like every nervous child
Finding them cheer, showed her sweetest smile.

Another shy daughter trained in music
On the verge of crying as she played a classic
Luckily, our eyes met, locked for a while
Then she displayed her sweetest smile.

A son played combat sports in early youth
Opponent much bigger, had a bleeding tooth
So pitiful, my heart would almost explode
Kept cheering, smiling til he won the gold.

So many occasions that painted a smile
Unexpectedly happy events or meet someone you admire
Everyone has stories when showing their sweetest smile
In graduation pictures or portraits, we smile with style.

Thank you for a life of smiles so often sweet
When time will come to finally lay to rest
After surviving all tests of fire
Pray to wear the sweetest smile.

Duty

Once assigned a formidable task
Unskilled for the job I hardly understand
Day by day, learning, working the best I can
With the help of kindred beings, strategies we plan.

Sustaining balance is harder than imagined
"How do I perform my responsibility unbroken?"
Blind curve slowed down the advance
Cling to faith, help will come.

Why so inadequate to do my duty?
Do I lack sincerity?
Am I wanting in humility?
Can I hold on dearly to tenacity?

With bended knees I beg for help
Despite efforts, output insufficient
Oftentimes asking, feeling unworthy
Of the duty bestowed upon me.

Blazing sun

Throughout our lifetime
We journeyed with the sun
Smiling, shining for everyone
Sometimes hiding but never gone.

We welcome its glory in the morn
Others haven't witnessed its sojourn
Its benevolence often went unnoticed
Until the clouds concealed its rays.

At noon, we see the sun blazing
Exposed, many felt their skin burning
Hurriedly seek to find shelter
But this is the sun's energy-giving power.

Family pictures

Do you have a habit of taking family pictures?
We do have annual snapshots in the studio
Started when kids were still toddlers
Now, it's a wall full of souvenirs.

Before, preparations is such a hassle
After several years, became easy to handle
Themes, costumes and background we plan
Our family photo tradition is a lot of fun.

Dancing with my shadow

I came to search for the light
Instead a shadow obscured my sight
Convinced that this shadow is my life
I danced with her and it was fine.

Through time, never had the chance to stop
To ask where life's leading, felt I'm on top
Continued dancing with my shadow
Don't even have to choose, just flow.

Wait, been here before, thought I'm on flight
The light I searched is nowhere in sight
The circle goes on and on, can't stop though
Tricked, I kept dancing with my shadow.

Love

O Love, reveal yourself to me
I thought I knew you, I often say
I love you and you and you and them
Is it truly genuine or tainted with pretense?

Why does my love need to be reciprocated?
When not satisfied, get disappointed
Is this the nature of human love?
Then how do we traverse the plane of Divine Love?

O Love, let me swim and drown in your ocean
Til all thoughts of separateness are gone
Fervently pray, don't cast me aside
Will keep wailing til you hear my cry.

Dew drops

Beautiful dew drops so dainty
From where did you come?
A gift that dropped from heaven?
To welcome the morning sun?

The sun's brightness is magnified
As the grassy field of dew drops reflect it
Slowly the sun's heat let the dew subside
Though your life's short, dew drops you're a delight!

No more ink

Then til now, I like writing on paper
Taking and rewriting notes, penning letters
Working desk with papers and pens ready
Habit continues even if somewhat tech-savvy.

One time, wrote something I don't want to forget
But the pen I picked has no more ink
Smiled a bit then started to think
What's it like if pens and pencils don't exist?

Man in distant recorded history
Used stones, hard objects to write what came to memory
Developed marks and symbols to communicate
Later invented pens and papers, got more engaged.

With man's creativity, pen's a powerful key
Express his thoughts, claim his identity
Learn about the past from documents in print
So, don't let your pen run out of ink.

Eyeglasses

My best friend eyeglasses
You've witnessed many events
Are you happy with what you see?
Isn't life so lovely?

There maybe some negativities
But nothing compared to possibilities
Skies, stars, raindrops and rainbows
Caring parents and comic toddlers.

Everything within our vision
Are perfectly beautiful creation
When eyes go hazy
Eyeglasses will keep you company.

Working ants

Can see them everywhere
Passing, greeting each other
Together or alone, carrying a morsel
Sometimes in line, sometimes they scatter.

Different sizes, varying colors
Everyone seems to be at work
When you track them to their hole
Ants have plenty of food in store.

Underwater scene

Over the ocean and under
Dive, dive, dive and wander
You'll see amazing creatures there
Fixed and moving, beyond number.

Breathtaking colors feast the eyes
Funny characters in disguise
Swimming around you, others away
For a long time, you'll want to stay.

Though you've seen them in movies
It's nothing compared when face to face
Creatures so wonderful even in the shallow
How much more when you're deep down below.

As I marvel at the ocean scenery beneath
My heart keep thanking for the magnificent gift
In our own little way, let's help preserve
Our brother water creatures' universe.

Ideas

Ideas, whence did you come?
You just arise, gave me no freedom
What to evoke, mind is helpless
Contemplating your source is pointless.

Ideas, you're in every man's thought
Were you created by patterns the past brought?
How you came about is beyond comprehension
Were you ushered from a different dimension?

You kept coming, I have no control
A guide advised, create a wormhole
Momentarily escape this reality you have known
To perceive the beyond and form your own.

Look into my eyes

O my Lord, my Guru, have mercy
Please don't make me lose the memory
You let me gaze into Your eyes
Don't let me ever forget that night.

I beg, let me always remember that night
When you said, "Look into my eyes!"
At any time I'll face my fiercest fight
Seek Your eyes, stamp on my mind.

I could fall deep from the steepest flight
Or mercilessly flung to the darkest side
Please let me again remember that night
When You let me look into Your eyes.