With an inflatable boat,

and refurbished paddles from Amazon,

gearing to sail from the Pacific

heading to the Atlantic.

Compass-less, the silly, tiny, corny

hopeful romantic—

to be modest-

kisses and throws the dices to the sea.

Undeterred of the missing stars,

the true champs of hide-and-seek,

scheming ‘gainst the full moon in nostalgia,

daydreaming; listening to a wistful tune.

Recommended Song:

Suddenly
by Olivia Newton-John
(Feat Cliff Richard)

YouTube/Suddenly/Olivia Newton-John (feat Cliff Richards)

[As a self-taught poet, I wrote many odes, ballads, and even haikus—but not a sonnet—because it’s extremely hard. As it is made of 14 lines with 10 syllables each and ideally rhyming. Usually something of deep desire, sonnets are the “forte” of the great William Shakespeare (who is especially known for iamb characteristics). Finally, and thankfully, I penned one down. Please bear with my first. Feel free to comment “for my missus” guys. I love you! And thank you so much!]

Why iamb goes double when I think of you?
I’m sure, espresso has nothing to do.
Not about the abs; no, not that one too!
Just as Valli sings, haven’t lay hands too.
How true? You; iamb. You; iamb, iamb.
Poems, blues, text, emojis in pink— . . . think those too.
Maybe when you say my name that would do.
Can Venus or the stars blink for some clues?
Why most answers are at-large? Got it woods!
For whatever reason, . . . just thanks, I’m alive.
Grateful for our to-dos—-I really do!
Spring wind gently brushing skin: Thrive dream, thrive!
Summer sun peeps, . . . and so thoughts of shave ice.
You; iamb. You; iamb, iamb, iamb.

YouTube/My Eyes Adored You/Frankie Valli & the Four Season

Strangers to Listerin’:
Tape the hasty mouths,
in your head (?)–
yes, just about.

No word,
especially of haste, can define you.

You’re not in dictionary
is a matter of fact.

Who can speak of your passion?
Who can?
Who would vouch for your heart?
Who would?

No soul
is ever truly accounted.

Passion is an abyss
not even a rightful diver
knows its true depth
and full bliss.

Human nature: Miss.
Human nature: Prejudice.

Heart the organ,
Heart the being—
To live
is more than just throbbing.

What?
When?
Where?
Why—-

Whole truth
constrains the naked eyes.

No
“Who you are.”

You’re not in the dictionary.
Period.

Aloha kakou! I hope this reach you in good health and great spirit. Thank you so much for dropping by and reading this post! As always, your presence here is greatly appreciated.

As for me, on April 13 I tested positive for Covid-19. However, more than my mortality, I was concerned about my new work, which I started in January.

In brief, my duties are mostly time sensitive and requires great deal of attention to detail. It entails helping small businesses avail assistance (pandemic related) from the federal government.

Thus, I got the position; because it was my graduating (Spring 2021) accounting research project in the University of Hawai’i – West O’ahu. Modesty aside, I earned a decent grade for it. I was even awarded a commendation by the faculty in a virtual student research symposium. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not about me. I worked on it so passionately for most businesses here, in this Aloha state, are small businesses. I know (first hand) how they struggled during the pandemic.

Hence, it’s a common knowledge that the Covid-19 pandemic hurt economies. It disrupted businesses especially, small businesses in the travel, hotel and lodging, and restaurants industries from 2020 and who knows ‘til now. Without the help from the government and the community, they won’t make it.

For that reason and personally too, although I suffered from some symptoms and quite a handful of medical procedures; I can’t be bitter for the positive diagnosis. Because without Covid-19, I don’t even have my job. Truthfully, through my work:
I got renewed confidence, I recovered from depression, I am back hoping for a better future—but most importantly, I have this bundle of joy from doing something meaningful, touching people’s lives. It is such a humbling privilege. I am so grateful to God.

That amid negative test result, and yet I still suffer from itchy throat; I still get easily tired; but, I can’t be sour nor bitter. Simply because, I am still helping a lot of people too everyday. And I find no trivial question or request from anyone who truly needs help.

For example, one lady customer who claimed she was uncomfortable with computers and the Internet (which are integral to many work processes). Although, it’s out of my job description already, I walked her through the process over the phone for more than twenty minutes (or so) for about two weeks. And then when we successfully completed her affairs, she offered me complimentary services in their salon. She said, “Are you here on O’ahu?” I answered, “Yes.”
She continued, “If you have a chance to come in this area, please visit our salon. We do facial tattoos/permanent makeup. Please let us compliment you for your amazing help all throughout.” I said, “No, ma’am. Thank you. You are so kind and sweet. But we’re just so thankful to be of service to you.” And I mean it with all my heart. I wish to tell her, I am just a humble instrument of God.

I guess what I am trying to share: Life is full of ironies. And we are all vulnerable. But no matter good or bad, there’s always goodness in everything. Lastly, there’s an outright joy in finding and striving for common good.

Mahalo nui loa. To God be always all the glory!

Me ke aloha,

Aina

YouTube/Hawai’i Aloha/Public Charter Schools

Ang Iyong pagmamahal:

Hindi sasapat ang sangkalakawan,

Hindi kailanman masusukat ninuman—

Sadyang tunay na walang hangganan.

Ang Iyong kabutihan:

Damang-dama sa kaibuturan ng sangkatauhan,

Damang-dama lalo na sa aming kagipitan—

Sadyang pinagpala Ka magpakailanman.

Ang Iyong ganda:

Walang kawangis,

Walang bahid—

Mukhang walang hugis, pinakatatangi.

Abba, sa Iyong pag-ibig

Ako ay taimtim na tumatangis!

Dilat man o nakapikit,

Abba, Iyong matimyas na mukha ang aking minimithi.

Mahal kita, Abba!

Mahal kita, Abba.

Salamat Ama!

Salamat, Ama.

Tagalog Translation

(Not verbatim)

Your love:

Not even the universe can come close;

Not one; no one can ever measure—

The true infinite defying space and time.

Your goodness:

Conquers every being;

Conquers all adversities—

Grace blessed eternally.

Your beauty:

None can’t come close;

None, not a flaw!

Shapeless face, I’m in awe!

Abba, I am in awe of you!

I am so in awe of you.

Awake or asleep,

Abba, I long to see Your face.

I love You, Abba!

I love you, Abba.

Thank You, Father!

Thank You, Father.

In every beginning,

A wand take

Takes its classic motion;

Just as light turns on

In every restart.

Take delight:

In every leap of heels,

In every closing of lids:

Let hope carry you

On its wings.

Hear from not so far,

The crowing of roosters—

The herald singers,

Belting with all their might

For the grandeur of a brand new day.

Joy is in.

Morning!

Hold dear your journey.

 

Some roads are rough and rocky;

but the path forward—-

always lead

to a cherished destiny.
 

Some days are cloudy,

when sun may be a bit lazy or tardy;

But you got to hang on.

And calm your worries.
 

Though rains and storms are inevitable;

They are temporary.

 

Some may be hasty to say, “you’re history”

. . . sorry.

But if you, carry your heart and soul

Wherever you go;

And be audacious in finding peace and joy—

in whatever you do—

True than true; the rest is history.
 

Let hope be your spinach;

Let courage be your cape.

Dare to be the marvel of your own story.

Hold dear your journey.

Have faith!