Month: July 2024

Poetry · Uncategorized

In This World Ruled By Numbers

AinaBalagtas2 Comments

0 is a rolling phenomenon.

1 is important.

2 is what it takes to tango.

3 is complicated.

4 is not me nor my number.

5 is high.

6 is vowel away from carnal all the way.

7 is the old lucky;

8 is the new fave.

9 is to out live cats.

10 is the total of man’s left and right;

But how could he want more
than his fingers can count?

For a number by itself,
it doesn’t
have a meaning.
For only
when he adds or subtracts,
multiplies or divides,
its meaning
Comes into light.

Perhaps he realizes
it’s not too bad
to cringe to his toes
and continue the count.

Writing True

On Hold

AinaBalagtas3 Comments

What are your future travel plans?

My goal is to pursue my graduate degree;

Either an M.B. A. or a J. D.—

I have to make it happen

“come hell or high waters.”

It’s not for vanity,

nor for prestige,

neither . . . pride.

Rather, a commitment to one’s self

That I would pursue higher education

Before I die.

So help me God.

“Focus, focus!”

Writing True

These changes begin with me

AinaBalagtas3 Comments

What would you change about modern society?

Diversity: Honoring each and everyone’s differences in culture and mindset.

Inclusivity: Welcoming everyone regardless of one’s religion, sexual orientation, and race.

Equality: Treating everyone with the same respect and regard.

Acceptance: Acknowledging that I have no control over others’ behavior that I can only show and or model these changes I wish for the society; because my power is limited only to myself.

Finally, the only things I can demand to this modern society, are civility and respect.

Writing True

Hawaii Public Radio

AinaBalagtas3 Comments

What do you listen to while you work?

A local National Public Radio (NPR)

That is community driven,

Community supported,

Community inspired

Not only because I love listening to news and current events,

Likewise classical and jazz music as well—

It’s where I earn for a living.

I love you ❤️ HPR!

Writing True

Ramen et Al

AinaBalagtas3 Comments

What’s your go-to comfort food?

Clear hot soup

with a little bit of greens,

a little bit of meat,

and a good portion of noodles—

A great go-to when sick.

Dimsum on Sunday brunch is fun.

Steak or pasta for dinner are best served with wine.

But the comfort from food

Actually comes from the heart of the cook, or chef,

who gets it done.

Writing True

Scrabble

AinaBalagtas5 Comments

What’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why?

Aside from being our family’s favorite way to bond, Scrabble is a good way to boost your vocabulary skills. Plus, it’s fun:

Vowels score one.

Consonants vary;

But Q, X, and J are the highest.

Having S and blank tiles are game changing.

Aim for triple and double word lots or letters

To score better.

It’s a bummer

To have so much of the same letter;

Likewise, if you have all consonants.

Ensure in every turn that you score more than your opponent—

And you’d be the winner.

Connect words as much as you can

To master.

Writing True

Kitty’s Sunset, an elegy

AinaBalagtas13 Comments

Baby, I miss you.

Through love and joy,

You’ve carved

your place in my heart so deeply

that I can never ever replace you here.

After days of searching, scouring the entire neighborhood, trying to find you;

I realized

that with how much you love me—

you would never ran away

and leave me.

But finding your lifeless body in our yard—

in a fetal position

covered with rocks and dry leaves—

I wanted to scream.

But I couldn’t.

Deep inside, I’m wailing

while whimpering your name.

Reckoning with guilt,

perhaps I didn’t take care of you enough—

Perhaps I didn’t do enough to protect you—

sorry baby,

sorry baby—

Mommy is so sorry.

Your fondest memories;

of you waiting for me to come home from work,

of you going to our room before I even get there,

of you being always excited whenever I bring you treats—feeding you pulled cattle fishes, lickable treats, and beef jerkies,

of how much you wanted me to carry you in my lap or sit at my belly,

of you being always careful with your paws so as not to scratch me.

and more—

I will always cherish them all.

Because Kitty,

I didn’t rescue you—

It was you who saved me.

Writing True

Dogs and Cats

AinaBalagtas5 Comments

Dogs or cats?

Our furry beloved. . .

We gave them names.

We expect them to follow

Or behave like us.

But the truth is;

They can never be like us.

The point is,

Put your index finger to your heart

And keep it there:

That amid the differences,

Dogs and cats are capable of love.

They bring us joy;

So let’s return that with human warmth.