In the latest issue of World Haiku Review, May 2008, my 10 best haiku were featured, together with those of two other haijins (poets), Michael McClintock, president of Tanka Society of America, and reknowned Irish poet, Gabriel Rosenstock. Here are my poems.
MY TEN [BEST] HAIKU
Victor P. Gendrano
misty afternoon
she takes a last look
at the leaving train
still in their box
the flowers start to wilt
Mother's day
sleepless night
I touch gently
her empty space
Father's Day
I add to my wardrobe
my son's outgrown shirts
midnight chill
I wait for New Year
alone
alone
at her favorite table
the jukebox plays our song
a lilly blooms
near a makeshift cross
war-ravaged field
Mother's day
my daughter brings her daughter
as a peace offering
raindrops roll down
the golden leaf
first day in hospice
she finally throws out
his half-empty cologne
New Year's day
The other poems can be viewed here.
World Haiku Review
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wildflowers
wrong trail turn
the scent and sight
of wildflowers
Tagalog version
maling daan
bango at tanawin
ligaw na mga bulaklak
Vic Gendrano
the scent and sight
of wildflowers
Tagalog version
maling daan
bango at tanawin
ligaw na mga bulaklak
Vic Gendrano
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Flowers's Essence Slide Show
I wrote the tanka poem below, then added a picture and transformed it into haiga, a picture poem. The idea is for the reader to concentrate on ONE poem only with its accompanying image while reading line by line. Click the arrow on the lower left corner to play the show. Click on the same spot to stop/pause it momentarily.
More hints: Position your cursor on the images at the very bottom of the slide show box. The fourth one from the left is colored white with a RED slash. That image is for turning the music or or off. On the farthest right next to the music image is a full screen viewer (big white square). The attached small square retracts it back to the original size.
For those who prefer a straightforward poem, here it is.
For Lucy
the flowers' essence
lingers long after
their blooms wilt
remembering the lives
she touched on earth
© 2007
More hints: Position your cursor on the images at the very bottom of the slide show box. The fourth one from the left is colored white with a RED slash. That image is for turning the music or or off. On the farthest right next to the music image is a full screen viewer (big white square). The attached small square retracts it back to the original size.
For those who prefer a straightforward poem, here it is.
For Lucy
the flowers' essence
lingers long after
their blooms wilt
remembering the lives
she touched on earth
© 2007
Sunday, June 15, 2008
FATHER'S DAY
ODE TO MY FATHER
Gnarled hands reveal
The toil of countless years,
Unceasing care in raising us
From carefree days.
Warm them on mine, let us,
In peace, relive the bygone days
With no regret. Let's not lament
The rare instance when we snatched
From fleeting time a few minutes
Then being one, sharing one's soul
In man-to-man's togetherness.
Oh memories!
Time-warped and distance-dulled
We seem only to dwell on those
We like and dump away the rest
As if in so doing we wash our guilt
Of things undone, unspoken words
Which might haunt us in our sleep.
Your frail body, which now is sapped
Of all strength lay bedridden
Creased brow, etched lines
On aged face my hands
Nor love, cannot erase.
Hearken, I'll sing our song
When as a child you soothed my fears
I need it now to steel myself
Still sorrow, and sad swan song
Inchoate yet escaping
From my burdened breast.
And when the thief of life
Finds us apart, take heed
With you my thoughts, my love
My memories remain always
As with Mother who you precede
Rest peacefully, peacefully rest
We commend you to heaven's grace.
In my book, RUSTLE OF BAMBOO LEAVES, but first published in Heritage magazine, Vol. II, No. 1, March 1988.
Gnarled hands reveal
The toil of countless years,
Unceasing care in raising us
From carefree days.
Warm them on mine, let us,
In peace, relive the bygone days
With no regret. Let's not lament
The rare instance when we snatched
From fleeting time a few minutes
Then being one, sharing one's soul
In man-to-man's togetherness.
Oh memories!
Time-warped and distance-dulled
We seem only to dwell on those
We like and dump away the rest
As if in so doing we wash our guilt
Of things undone, unspoken words
Which might haunt us in our sleep.
Your frail body, which now is sapped
Of all strength lay bedridden
Creased brow, etched lines
On aged face my hands
Nor love, cannot erase.
Hearken, I'll sing our song
When as a child you soothed my fears
I need it now to steel myself
Still sorrow, and sad swan song
Inchoate yet escaping
From my burdened breast.
And when the thief of life
Finds us apart, take heed
With you my thoughts, my love
My memories remain always
As with Mother who you precede
Rest peacefully, peacefully rest
We commend you to heaven's grace.
In my book, RUSTLE OF BAMBOO LEAVES, but first published in Heritage magazine, Vol. II, No. 1, March 1988.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
BANYAN TREE
My friend Bonnie, a filmmaker and nature lover from the Big Island, Hawaii recently emailed me the news that they cut the banyan tree near the botanical garden in Captain Cook. It's a magnificent big shady tree where our mutual friend Shanna and I were frolicking around and under it when I visited them two summers ago. Bonnie suggested I write a poem about its demise. Here is what Bonnie wrote:
“I was wondering if you would like to write a poem in memory of the Banyan tree in Captain Cook that was cut down a few weeks ago along with the huge stately Norfolk pine that grew in the middle of it. The pair reminded me of an odd couple in love. Interspecies relationships, especially in the animal [and plant] world have always fascinated me. Arron and I want to erect a memorial plaque in the place where the two trees grew.” In response, I wrote this poem.
ODE TO THE BANYAN TREE
(Captain Cook, Hawaii)
only the stump is left
of the once mighty banyan tree
whose canopy shielded
the fragile ecosystem below
the gentle giant is felled
in progress name
under its shade, lovers frolicked,
quarreled, made-up, and bade adieu
the guardian of nature’s garden
enjoyed by young and old
the gentle giant is felled
in progress name
only its spirit remains
for man wields destructive tools
long before Captain Cook roamed
this woods which now bears his name
the gentle giant is felled
in progress name, they explained
Victor P. Gendrano © 11 June 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
IN MEMORIAM
beyond the seas lie verdant palms
nourished by the tropical sun
growing up there, we lived our lives
in carefree days 'til we parted
almost three decades later
I learned of her untimely death
My sister, the oldest child, passed away last Sunday, May 18, 2008. As a younger brother who has not seen her since 1980, I offer her these poems of tribute. Rest in peace Ate Nena! I will always cherish your memory - a second mother, cheerful, fun, and bubbly with your sweet smile, and boy can you sing!
a hummingbird
loses its grip
of the falling leaf
just got the news
of my sister's death
hunting season
the wild bird sings
no more
nourished by the tropical sun
growing up there, we lived our lives
in carefree days 'til we parted
almost three decades later
I learned of her untimely death
My sister, the oldest child, passed away last Sunday, May 18, 2008. As a younger brother who has not seen her since 1980, I offer her these poems of tribute. Rest in peace Ate Nena! I will always cherish your memory - a second mother, cheerful, fun, and bubbly with your sweet smile, and boy can you sing!
a hummingbird
loses its grip
of the falling leaf
just got the news
of my sister's death
hunting season
the wild bird sings
no more
Alpha and Omega
Last May 18, I received the sad news that my sister passed away. I was miserable as I was not able to even view her remains as I live so far away. Anyway, after ten days, on May 28, my grandson Anthony was born. He is the first child of my son who will carry my name to posterity. "Once a door closes, another one opens." God has ways of balancing our sadness and happiness.
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