CAGAYAN HOME OF MY YOUTH

CAGAYAN HOME OF MY YOUTH

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

Born was I in humble Tuguegarao town by the river Cagayan

In ’58 as scion of a couple still in youth & studies

Immediately I was brought to Manila while parents burnt oil

To finish their schooling and birth my younger sibs

Thereafter to drive home to Tuguegarao our family did

Growing up by Ybanag culture plus agriculture & cottage crafts

Tuguegarao famed for pansit-batil-itlog & Larion bladed objects

There I was to nestle from age 6 till high school

Visiting our family farms every now and then

To contemplate on my future options and spaces

Helped bring food at times to our rice mill workers

Witnessing how the hometown progress from gravel roads

To the concrete roads of the day

Coming back for work circa late ‘81 till ‘83

Did I fulfill my own dream of touring all of Cagayan

28 of its 29 towns did I visit and enjoy crafts & foods

As young community worker and junior executive then

Happy that my hands were to amongst agents of change

Helping to build folks’ livelihoods & planning huge projects

Likewise feeling bliss upon sights & sounds so idyllic

Tasting delicacies of all towns and bringing home crafts

Thought that Calayan island town would be my trophy visit

But no longer opportuned to do so did I fail to tour it

Yet the valley towns will always be in my bosom

Toured every corner and chatting with folks of all towns

Home indeed was Cagayan to me till these days

Part-builder of my youth and my conqueror spirit

[Philippines, 08 May 2011]

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Come Visit E. Argonza’s blogs anytime!

Social Blogs:

IKONOKLAST: http://erleargonza.blogspot.com

UNLADTAU: http://unladtau.wordpress.com

Wisdom/Spiritual Blogs:

COSMICBUHAY: http://cosmicbuhay.blogspot.com

BRIGHTWORLD: http://erlefraynebrightworld.wordpress.com

Poetry & Art Blogs:

ARTBLOG: http://erleargonza.wordpress.com

ARGONZAPOEM: http://argonzapoem.blogspot.com

Mixed Blends Blogs:

@MULTIPLY: http://efdargon.multiply.com

@FRIENDSTER: http://erleargonza.blog.friendster.com

@SOULCAST: http://www.soulcast.com/efdargon

SOLANA

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

Across the Rio Grande Cagayan from Tuguegarao’s hide
Is Solana town ‘tis home to many kins of mine

There was I and brothers brought to summer holidays
Crossing the river by ferry as bridge there was none

There we played with carabaos, sheeps, and goats
Accompanied beloved Inggo who was pastor to them
With engrossed care we bathed them wonderful pets
Feeling at one with them we are truly blessed

Immersing in livestocks I grew to love them creatures
Built empathy along as I beloved more pets

Solana now is home to ancient pedigree of man
Whose bones fit half a million years to measure

Such knowledge thus to blend with sweet memories
Of my short but lovable stays in ol’ Solana town

[Philippines, 05 December 2010]

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Come Visit E. Argonza’s blogs anytime!

Social Blogs:
IKONOKLAST: http://erleargonza.blogspot.com
UNLADTAU: http://unladtau.wordpress.com

Wisdom/Spiritual Blogs:
COSMICBUHAY: http://cosmicbuhay.blogspot.com
BRIGHTWORLD: http://erlefraynebrightworld.wordpress.com

Poetry & Art Blogs:
ARTBLOG: http://erleargonza.wordpress.com
ARGONZAPOEM: http://argonzapoem.blogspot.com

Mixed Blends Blogs:
@MULTIPLY: http://efdargon.multiply.com
@FRIENDSTER: http://erleargonza.blog.friendster.com
@SOULCAST: http://www.soulcast.com/efdargon

FAREWELL GRANDFATHER

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago


Farewell, beloved Grandfather!

I should have seen you
Yet but fate has not
Spared me the permission
To be delivered to you airlifted
Fate’s the traffic lights of for flights
T’wards your citadel on Terra

I will still dialogue with you
In my dreams, in dreams
You are a living memory
Of my youth and your wisdom charmed
And mixed like fused ions

Here I am, your founded vision
I am, I swear.


[Writ. 14 May ’91, Cubao, Quezon City, M.Manila]

STA. ANA

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago


Cranes atop carabaos at work
Amid endless sights of rice fields
That merge with the mountains on their brims
Where thick canopies of trees add color
To the green canvass of the picturesque scenery
Here are the trademarks of the path
To Sta. Ana the forthcoming legend.

Reached by land from arterial roads
Where the traveler’s exhaustion is gaily relieved
By the vista of the cool blue sea
A limitless basin aplenty
With marine basics and exotics.

Soon there shall rise an industrial
Enclave whose merchandise will be sold
To foreign lands and peoples.

Fisherfolk, planters and workingmen meet
There in an unintended league
To realize that beauteous and bountiful
Nature and profitable shops & foundries
Can’t at all conceal miserly living.


[Writ. 05 June 1988, Proj. 8, Quezon City, M.Manila]