ON PITFALLS & STARS

ON PITFALLS & STARS

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

Man,

In times when mind’s soaked

in an intoxicating concoction

of rage and fiery resentment

ought not battle against pitfalls

that are really no pitfalls

when gauged against virtues

that they unintendedly unlock

for such virtues are ever present

in the labyrinth of pursuits

awaiting to float to the surface

of riverine Existence

no matter how inconspicuous these are;

they are stars that are forever

habituating the firmaments

in grandiose beauty,

despite dark clouds

despite dark clouds

[Writ. 02 June 1988, Proj. 8, Quezon City, M.Manila.]

THOUGHTS ON ACTION

THOUGHTS ON ACTION

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

Actions of a kind

And those of others

Ever demand a plethora of decisions

Whether erroneous to some quarters

Or righteous to the rest.

The mind fulfills the thinking

Balanced with the doing

In a majestic rhythm

Of poetry and calculus,

Tempered by Justice

And the quest of the Will,

Astride the vehicle of Wisdom

Fueled by noble Inspiration,

It measures the outcome

Whether least appealing or best.

[Writ. 02 June 1988, Proj. 8, Quezon City, M.Manila.]

SONGBIRD’S MELODY

SONGBIRD’S MELODY

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

Songbird of the country

Please sing your tunes tirelessly

On valleys and hills

Sing afloat your theatre of amusement!

You are forever rewarded

With rice, shelter, care

By humble folks who truly cherish you.

Sing!

Sing for them! – the poor and wretched—

They who were left forlorn

By trusted lords

By false guardians of welfare

By deified magnates;

They who are now casting

New lives for themselves

New hopes toward betterment.

O! Songbird so dear!

Lift them up from slumber!

[Writ. 26 May 1988, Proj. 8, Quezon City, M.Manila.]

ASPIRATION

ASPIRATION

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

O! Aspiration!

You majestic road

To where all are brought

To fate’s myriad conclusions,

You are beheld

As a plane in Pythagoras’ universe

Contained in Euclid’s space

A foot away to grasp in an instance.

Yet how come that you,

In each one’ pathway

Seem millions of miles away,

Far beyond anyone’s reach?

O! Aspiration!

Please don’t appear as any

Unconquerable chimera

To willful beings

To the willful.

[Writ. 26 May 1988, Proj.8, Quezon City, M.Manila.]