some good angst here, and great line breaks as usual-
especially run-- fingers
Whatever curtain closing this represents for whoever's voice, bon courage.
I have missed your poetry. This was amazing.
kim
your writing walks
that razor's edge
of language undeniable
inventing itself
fiercely inspiring
galeng! i especially liked the play of words in the second verse. sana makapagsulat man lang ako ulit ng kahit kalahati man lang sa ganda natin. apir! 
You have the poetic gift of being able to take the ordinary and transform it into something memorable. We are all conscious of the 'drool-stained pillows' but you make your reader look at them afresh. The following spoke directly to me:
'undress, wash away another night's
trace of aging from the skin, try to run
fingers through knotted, split hair-ends
as rebellious as legs recklessly unshaved
whilst mismatched socks find their way
jammed in between self-help books'
I too have missed reading your poems.
Very interesting. If this is you, your poem gives away much about who you are. From the well used self help books to the anxieties of a woman aging day by day. This is a beautiful and very accessible poem, very touching.
KGT, no worries on my account; the poem is no way near autobiographical. This is, I reckon, brought about by one or two out of the horde of books I've been immersing myself into lately; hence the reference(s) to polar-opposite books in this poem. Even the angst is by way of imagination. (grin)
Kim, it's been a while. I'm grateful to see you here again. I, too, have missed reading your poems. Still writing, or publishing? Poetry or prose?
Kat, wordplay is such a fun mind sport, to say the least. The brain, the eyes, and the ear trying to reach a compromise as regards the logic, the aesthetic, and the acoustic. (grin) Thank you for the encouraging remark. Much obliged.
Figgy, salamat! Oh, you haven't lost it, sister. Your poem "Naked" blew me away. Kayang-kaya naman pala eh. Go lang nang go, hehe. (hug)
Carole, "[y]ou have the poetic gift of being able to take the ordinary and transform it into something memorable"... Thank you for the sincere compliment. The most usual occurrences of daily life, easily taken for granted, are those which accumulate the fastest, for better or for worse (in terms of one's peace of mind).
Cat, not a true-to-life, written-by-way-of-therapy poem, I'm afraid (or should I say: I'm relieved 
). "Very accessible poem" -- thank you for pointing this out; it was an intended effect, so I'm delighted that came across. Cheers.
An examination under the microscope of everyday life. I revel the way you regale us with your perceptiveness in all things - simple and/or complex with the same immediacy. You are gifted and so appreciated.
One of the first things I noticed (the other was the coconut but that's a totally different story, hehe) about this piece was the really clever paradigm shift between the stanzas. It's brilliant the way you used words to create the cut-scenes between reality and the alternate universe. The language used becomes less...elegant and more...scruffy and jerky and gray and then goes back to that exquisite flow that has characterized your style. Shows how flexible and adept you are at manipulating the edges of syntax and meanings to create multiple layers of scenes.
Oh, and I like the reference-back (parang PRIL, hahahah!) about the scattered pages and the scribbled margins. It created the imaginary boundaries of a life confined within well-loved words read night after day after night.
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog regarding my poems... and because of that I have now discovered your work as well... so I have something new to delve into today, and I enjoy very much what I have read so far... thank you again.
This is wonderful poetry.
very powerful, esp the first stanza
love the home-schooled editor -
when I was younger I read every self-help book written, then I threw them all out and have lived happily ever since
you poem like reading a memory in my brain
Hi SL. Your poem is so rich, with a
precious moment, that may seem
ordinary, but the quietness, the
aloneness speak volumes. I love
the self-taught editor part.
As usual, awesome! Your words are so graphical that one could paint with them...
Especially loved the first para and the 'undress, wash away another night's...'
Feels good to read your poetry again!
The rhythm drives this along, that and the excellent use of alliteration and music.....wonderful.
The most ordinary subjects often make the best poetry as is once again the case here. Especially the fourth and fifth stanza are simply beautiful. You had me laughing at the mismatched socks jammed between books. Socks definitely aren't the only things between my books.
As always, I am left breathless by the beautiful music in your poetry. The line breaths are music. Ah, I said that last poem, didn't I? But so true. Like these lines:
"breath, thunder snores,
bed hair, drool-spotted pillows,
one blanket, one bathroom
to share, with a seat that snaps up,
slams down, never by itself..."
Right on perfect rhythm! And, of course, the meaning is so deep in the poem. Excellent work. I'm so happy to see a poem here, too. Keep 'em coming, and we'll all be here to read
Fantastic... I love your work!
I can sense a strong strain of ennui running through this poem, and also some discomfiture at growing older. The repetitions of life can cause suffering, for sure.
You've roped in daily routines and thoughts with the expertise of a rancher's lasso encircling words and thoughts with clever word-play and astute observation. Describing these fine nuances in your style is a gift to read.
K., your generous words are, in turn, greatly appreciated, dear.
Blue Rogue, I grew up seeing so many coconut trees around me that, for a time in my childhood, I thought such was the 'poster boy' for trees in general. (snort) So stop picking on the coconut (hahaha). Buang. 
I'm excited that you've noticed the 'shift' between stanzas; you've caught up on the rationale for each stanza break in this poem. (grin) "Reference-back" na parang PRIL? Oh, you must be referring to renvoi. Haha!
Robert, your poetry blog is my newest favorite hangout on the blogosphere. EVERY poem of yours that I've read has been a treat; and, as I've said in my comment on your blog, "I like the way you express your thoughts through wordplay, with fluidity. And the ending of each poem -- always something to look forward to. Completeness, yes. Your poems have that." I do hope more poetry-lovin' bloggers find their way to your site; they won't be disappointed, far from it.
Kramer, Art Predator, Barbara, Cynthia, Jorc, thanks!
Lovemarks, hullo, dear. You've been missed. (hug)
Craving Oxygen, I'm glad you've mentioned something about the humor in this poem. I confess, I did have a blast (of amusement) writing certain lines here, chuckling as the images presented themselves to my mind.
Julie, Jo, thank you for the compliment as regards the rhythm, the musical flow. (blush)
Christine, indeed. Such is the life when great (as in 'fairy-tale-great') expectations are not met. Thank you for the perceptive feedback.
Gel, your "rancher's lasso" remark has made my day. (bows with a big grin) My cheeks are burning now. Cheers.
To laugh, to remember, to forget
These are two wonderful poems and offering an interpretation would only impoverish them.
I imagine the person you captured in Vestige as strong and beautiful, a person who would really enjoy to live and taste life even in its bitterness. And there is much more I could not capture in this comment, but you did it in your poem…
I too like the shift between stanzas from bullet-like phrasing to a wondrous flow of words. Your poetry always gives food for thought even when it's simple everyday events. I always read your poems more than once, savour the feelings, the images, the sweet play on words, and then read again for the pure joy of it.
Annamari, oh I see your comment is meant for my newer post and ended up here. Thank you for your kind words as regards the poem, "Vestige." I like your take on the character of the persona in that piece.
Janice, "Your poetry always gives food for thought even when it's simple everyday events"... I consider this as a great compliment, Janice. And I love the fact that you take delight in rereading the poem, for the sound of it especially.
Commenting by HaloScan
