Verso para Libertad: 08

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

GONE TOO SOON

(An Elegy For A Friend, Heidi)
-- by Oliver S. Carlos

she – vibrant feather
dancing freely in the air —

thought us, shared with us
the meaning of youth.

like her pencil sketches of petals
willingly drifting

her smiles sailed into our shores
unselfishly (even in her own pain)

she brought to us those timid laughter
which were seized and taken back

from us . . . from them
who shall never see us smile

now that she’s gone.

****************

A classmate and a dear friend during my high school days, Heidi (1967-1999) is the 2nd child among a brood of five children. As a child, she was fun and vibrant. She attended Holy Child Catholic School, Rajah Soliman High School and University of Santo Tomas. She was blessed with so many God-given talents ... she can sing, dance, act and draw. Her voice blends well with her other sister Jen. They both donated their time singing gospel songs at the church. They love to hang out together, keep secrets to each other and stay up late till dawn like they will never run out of stories to tell to each other.

During her teen years, she enrolled in martial arts, speech classes and piano lessons. She loves short walks on the beach, collecting rocks by the sea side and marveling at stars in the night. At school, she was often voted as the President and Muse of the class because of her intelligence and beauty. Every summer, Heidi was always chosen to march in Santa Cruzan processions where she always holds the Reina Elena title ...the highest tribute that could be paid by a woman’s beauty is to be selected as one. Both her parades in Manila and her father’s hometown in Pampanga left every one with her marks of beauty and elegance.

She wished to be an Architect to follow her father’s footstep. She took up Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas. Her drawings are works of art, intricately designed by her beautiful hands. On her 3rd year in college, she took a respite from school to fight a battle against lung illness. She fought a very hard battle but her battle is now over, God had called her HOME.

Heidi's life is a gift to us. You are never forgotten. We miss you and love you!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

mga dahon

************

binabakas ko
sa damuhan -- na minsan nating inupuan,
ang mga pangako
ng pag-ibig na walang hanggan.

sa aking pag-iisa,

patuloy kong naaalala
ang nakasahod mong kamay

sa

mga dahon

na

paisa-isang

n

a

l

a

l

a

g

l

a

g
.
.
.

tulad ng mga pangako mong walang-tatag.