Month: August 2024

Creative · Poetry

So Into Imagination

AinaBalagtas4 Comments
In the dancing floor of night sky, the moon is singing, while the stars join me in a line dance. And the crickets? In every spin, in every pas de bourrèe, they’re cheering on—so kind. Poor sea can’t join.

In quiet moments, hearts take flight,
Imagining brings pure delight.
A world within, where dreams are spun,
Where endless tales are never done.

A spark ignites, ideas bloom,
Transforming shadows, chasing gloom.
From simple thoughts, great wonders grow,
In lands where only dreamers go.

We conjure castles, skies of gold,
Adventures grand, both young and old.
New worlds appear with every thought,
In realms our daily lives forgot.

The joy of imagining, wild and free,
Is painting life with fantasy.
It lifts the soul, expands the mind,
In dreams, true treasures we can find.

So let your thoughts run far and wide,
In imagination, joy resides.
For in those visions, brightly gleamed,
Lies the heart of all we’ve dreamed.

YouTube/Timothèe Chalamet/Pure Imagination
Writing True

To Be a Good Human Being

AinaBalagtas3 Comments
To be a good human being , you ought to first see The sun in others, in every encounter let kindness be. A smile for a frown, a gesture that warms, an ever present lending hand—- These seeds of love conquer differences and beyond. Side with the truth, as gentle as you can, Thoughtless words can wound, once spoken or written, tears even the fiercest bond. Listen deeply and genuinely, and always try to understand—- Compassion is divine, heals all souls in every land. Count not the faults, as we all err. Do not be stingy, empathy matters to truly care. Be generous in sharing your joy, your time, and your cheer—- For in these moments, love grows free of fear far or near. Revere all lives, no matter big or small, We are part of one great whole, this wonderful world. To be good, means to simply be—- To be beacons of light and love, for the world to see.
Creative · Non-Fiction · Ode · Writing True

The Joy of Scribbling, an Ode

AinaBalagtas5 Comments

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

O sacred pen, O parchment pure and white,
In thee, I find my soul’s delight,
For within thy boundless realm of ink,
My thoughts and dreams converge and sync.

With every stroke, a world is born,
A canvas vast where ideas are sworn,
To dance and play upon the page,
In timeless tale or fervent rage.

The rustling sound of paper’s kiss,
A symphony of endless bliss,
Each word a note, each phrase a song,
In writing’s embrace, I belong.

O muse, thou art my guiding star,
In realms of fiction, near and far,
Thy whispering voice, a gentle breeze,
That carries me through stormy seas.

From dawn’s first light to twilight’s hue,
In writing, I am ever new,
A creator, a dreamer, a humble scribe,
Inking out the pulse of life’s tide.

In poetry’s sweet, rhythmic flow,
Or prose where deeper meanings grow,
The joy of writing fills my heart,
A treasured gift, an endless art.

With pen in hand, I’m never alone,
In every word, a seed is sown,
Of thoughts profound or simple cheer,
In writing, all is bright and clear.

So let the ink run swift and free,
A testament to creativity,
For in this joy, I find my truth,
An eternal flame, a fountain of youth.

Love · Poetry · Writing True

The Longing Lingers

AinaBalagtas3 Comments
As bright and warm as summer’s day, my love for you remains.

In the quiet hours of a fading day,
Your absence lingers in such a poignant way.
Echoes of laughter, whispers of cheer,
Haunt the spaces where I wish you are near.

Stars arise in the evening sky,
But I’m sure none compare to the light in your eyes.
Thoughts of our dance in the twilight’s glow,
Of what could be our moments together, I can’t let go.

The wind’s soft murmur, the moon’s pale hue,
Both tease me tender moments with you.
This yearning ache in my heart resides,
A silent sorrow my soul can’t hide.

Distance may stretch, but love remains,
A steadfast flame through joy and pains.
Though you’re not here, your presence is clear,
In every breath, in every tear.

Until the day we meet,
I’ll cherish the dream of you, even if it’s a feat
Longing for you is love’s true art,
Etched deeply in my aching heart.

YouTube/DeBarge/Time Will Reveal
Writing True

I saved an elderly woman from a conman

AinaBalagtas14 Comments

Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.

She always came to me at (Legal Aid Society of Hawaii [LASH]) to do her taxes. One tax season, she came with a middle aged man, which I found strange because she used to come by herself. At LASH, the client had to sit with us, volunteer tax preparers during the process; then our supervisor double checked our work and the veracity of the information.

I noticed from the early part of my interview with her that she was reluctant to answer my questions and give her information. And then I saw her a bit shaking to confirm her birthday that we have on file; and that she wasn’t answering me. Then the guy, held her hand and said, “I’m hurt you’re not letting me know your birthday.” Right away, I stood up and said, “wait a second ma’am; I’ll be back.” Then I looked for my supervising attorney, Ted, who was big, half-Hawaiian half-Japanese.

When I found Ted, I talked to him with our overall site manager, Wayne (who was also part Hawaiian). I told them the situation and explained I never saw her in previous years with that guy. She can’t tell me straight anything and was so anxious. I told them, “Please pull the guy and prepare his taxes separate with her.” And so they did.

When the guy left, to sit with Ted, the elderly woman told me, “Thank you for separating us! I just met him outside, as we wait for you guys to open. I don’t know him.” I answered, “It’s okay ma’am, you’re safe now. Let’s finish your tax.”