PRIDE

It takes a lifetime to forget,

It takes much effort to forgive,

It takes a thousand words to converse,

It takes countless tears to heal,

A numerous touch to feel,

Many proofs to show,

Lots of pills to swallow…BITTER PRIDE!

PRIDE! Is man’s confidence,

a defense, a hideaway, a fortress…

But your PRIDE can be your greatest opponent…

It is too powerful to defeat,

too huge to seize, too bitter to gobble up!

If you can’t handle PRIDE, it will conquer you…

(Riz)

Invisible

If I'd be INVISIBLE in a day,
By your side I would choose to stay,
Around you I would wrap my arms,
To the bondage of your powerful charm.

I would creep beyond your notice,
Keep you unaware of my presence,
To release a warm breath into your ear,
And have my fingers rake through your hair.

On your shoulder I would lean my head,
With moves rehearsed and lips muted,
A prolonged kiss of love to touch your cheek,
Lets my soul dive in the depth of your sleep.

I would plead for the time to stand still,
And the hour to delay its travel,
But if there would only be one minute left,
I'll just whisper "YOU'RE THE LOVE I CAN'T FORGET!"

(Riz)

Inside Wounds

No injuries ever present,

Not even a bruise on the skin,
No drops of blood can be seen,
None a small rash or anything.

But a shade of pain is reflected,
An intense sorrow detected,
Am I invisibly tormented?
What kind of affliction is it?

Something unexplained can't be ignored,
There's a need for remedy and cure,
A relief for my heart's long suffering,
To stop inside wounds from bleeding.

(Riz)

In Times...

In times of sorrow and grief,
There's One who gives relief,
In times of difficult situations,
There's One who provides solutions.

In times of failures and defeats,
There's One who assures success,
In times of doubts and worries,
There's One who removes fears.

At all times, He is ever present,
Even at our saddest moments,
Even at our uncertainties,
Even at our downfall of spirits.

He is waiting for our call,
Whenever we stumble and fall,
He expects our time even not much,
A single minute would be enough.

If we only come near to Him,
A brighter hope will be given,
If we only kneel and learn to pray,
God will walk with us all the way.

(Riz)

Secret Hideaway

An escape to the place I twice roamed in my dream,

A journey to the dwelling of a long-time friend,

A warm kiss to the breeze of a roaring ocean.

A step on the soil of an unfamiliar land.

Crystal water reflects the blue-painted sky

Sparrows ascend to the clouds in rivaled flight,

Dolphins frolic across the mighty sea waves,

Shellfish creep around coastal rocks and caves.

Beaches of fine sand and shapely pebbles,

Shaded by the trees that the wind wrestles,

Fishnets teeming with creatures in fins,

Fill the empty boats with greater gains.

Drizzles filtered by the bright-colored leaves,

Dews drop on the ground forming rivulets,

Crickets chirp to the rhythm of the rain,

Toads hop and croak in accompaniment.

All these I have heard and gaily witnessed,

In full view of the island's vast sceneries,

An adventure to remember and cherish,

My SECRET HIDEAWAY from Life's Stresses.

- Riz (07-26-06)

You Are What You Are

Live your existence the way you should,
at any manner you want,
Enjoy your life and never be a slave
of anybody's demand.

Satisfy yourself with all freedom,
exercise your right,
As long as you won't go beyond limits
or touch others' pride.

Stand confident and follow your heart
and mind's will,
You can speak up, cry, laugh, shout
and show what you feel.

Express all your ideas,
learn not to suppress anything,
No matter how people pass judgment
and criticism.

Mind your own business
and do not strive to please them,
They maybe quick to talk
but unwilling to listen.

Why should you become conscious
of your words and actions?
Let others state their opinions
and observations,

Still, they would not know
what lies behind the things shown.
BE REAL! You are what you are...
LIVE ON YOUR OWN!

(Riz)

Closure

One last time let me open the door,

Come inside my heart and stay,

But only for a little while,

You will be here not less than a day.

Let us cherish the fleeting moment,

That time lets us borrow,

Hold me close in your arms,

For there will never be tomorrow.

Fill the immense bareness within,

With tender touch and embrace,

Hold back the lonesome tears,

And silence the sigh with a kiss.

Let this chance be memorable,

For there shall never be another,

Once and for all let us relive,

The past love we still remember.

After all these we would part again,

It will be time to leave,

Memories of this last encounter,

We will never forget.

I would close the door,

So drop and lose the old key,

Walk out and don't look back,

To the forbidden entry.

Adieu friend, my old flame,

This GOODBYE is lifelong,

This CLOSURE would mean,

A new start of MOVING ON.

(Riz)

Heaven-Sent Friend

Closed were the doors of my heart for a friend's approach,

Shut were the windows of my soul for anyone to come close,

Blocked were the paths to my mind for friendly thoughts,

Ruined were the bridges to myself for attachment growth.

Chances had fled from my heart's void recesses,

Hope had vanished from my mind's vacant spaces

Burdens had occupied my soul's emptiness

Walls had replaced the unrepaired bridges.

Solitude has been my constant companion,

Teary eyes were my outlets of emotion

Lost friends' memories caused total depression

Lingering continually in my vision.

Special people have come across my way

Bringing bunch of promises to stay

Excessive love, care and trust have I given

Yet I still lost my dearest valuable friends.

Having suffered all the pains of losing

I swore not to open my wounded heart again

And decisively started living all alone

In the fear of another loss and frustration.

Now here you come knocking on my door,

Shall I unlock my fastened heart, mind and soul?

Are you the kind of friend that's sent from heaven?

To inspire me with HOPE of FRIENDSHIP once again.

(RIZ)

I Love You

Thank you for coming into my life,

Thank you for knocking the door of my heart,

You came inside and found a special seat,

For you alone is exclusively prepared.

Now, my heart is beating fast again

Loudly screaming out only your name,

This affection is worth confessing,

"I Love You" that's what I simply mean!

(Riz)

Graveyard of Oblivion

As a new day unfolds, I bid goodbye to yesterday,

And pursue the scheme to escape beyond captivity

Of past memory's oppressive chain, I should have fled

To enjoy the freedom of facing what's in store ahead.

Hear out these several words of plaintive apology

That emerged from the sullen heart beating inside of me

My mind screams how genuine is my profound love for thee

But we're meant to be apart as revealed by destiny.

Let me weep at once before you're completely gone,

Dry the tears I shed with the touch of your soft hand

Then, rest in peace my love in the graveyard of oblivion,

For tomorrow I shall love again, I must go on.

(Riz)

Cry of Justice

How long will I stay in this dark and cold place?
How long should I wait for elusive justice?
How long should I cry out for truth and fairness?
Will justice remain a dream of no existence?

How long will they trample my rights and privilege?
Why am I given such unlawful treatment?
I am only a victim...an innocent
Will there be someone to believe my statement?

I don't deserve judgment of this kind,
I honestly know nothing, I did no crime
Why is the real offender enjoying freedom?
Why is the verdict so unjustly done?

Will there be tomorrow for a victim of injury?
Who's tired of grieving each night till the light of day?
Whose right to fight has been taken for granted,
This struggle would somehow be forgotten, instead.

(Riz)

Bible

What can make a man very busy?
What does he usually do everyday?
How does he spend his leisure?
What is his existence on earth for?

Isn't it material treasures
That man is fondly craving for?
Isn't it temporary happiness
That a person certainly cares?

In times of trouble and sadness
Where does man put his confidence?
In celebration of success
Doesn't he share it with friends?

Why doesn't man give one minute
To read the lines on that single page?
Why doesn't he prefer to learn
The words of God with greater gain?

The BIBLE on the shelf is in long wait,
When will man take notice of it?
The knowledge and wisdom found inside,
Why does man set it all aside?

Getting busy with earthly things,
Nothing can a man actually gain,
But spiritual wealth is the benefit
Of reading God's wonderful messages.

(Riz - 4-29-02/Bugo)

Restless Phrases

Take me with you,

I am so tired with all the STRESSES

Coming Over me,

Overwhelming me & Pressuring me...

I want to break free,

I want to soar higher and go beyond limits!

I need a time-out

Because I've been RESTLESS!

I desire to have fun...

I'll go with you wherever you want to take me to.

I can climb the highest peak,

Reach the ocean's deepest ground,

Tour around mystic forest,

Cross over wild rivers,

Search for the end of a rainbow...

As long as I am with you!

I'd rather had myself worn-out beside you,

If it would mean having myself laid on your heart's pillow

You are my place of rest...I don't feel relaxed elsewhere.

Your touch alone calms the tiredness inside

And soothes all the worries in me...

So, COME and GET ME....I'd Fly With You!

(Riz)

Tree

Seed that sprung forth on rich soil,

Flourishing leaves as it grows more,

Tiny trunk that will soon develop,

Forming a tree of tomorrow's hope.

But take a look over the vast burned plain,

Tearful trees are wailing from immense pain,

Verdant mountains, rich hills and green vales,

Are becoming lesser and seldom seen.

People, animals and crops shall be in danger,

For the coming of nature's revenge and anger,

Since man took advantage of its natural gifts,

How many will suffer for his greediness?

Flash floods invading some communities,

What's the cause of these calamities?

Air pollution that could surely destroy lives

Why is this happening in the present time?

Why do birds chirp in search of their nests?

Why do creatures lose their home to rest?

Why do trees beg for a chance to live?

Why do men desire to end nature's breath?

A tree stands for LIFE that needs care and protection

The loss of it may cause world's destruction,

So, let's bring back Mother Nature's life by planting new seeds,

For today's PATRIOTISM is to start a FOREST...

- Riz (12-10-1997/Bohol)

Reminiscence

As I look back reminiscing the times we've shared,

A sudden pain slowly ripped my heart into bits,

That I nearly go crazy thinking those days,

We've been through behind the shade of yesteryears.

I so often long to hold back the hands of time,

And recall once more the days when you are still mine,

Spend a single moment with you just for a while,

But it's over now, there's no way turning behind.

How am I supposed to set myself free?

Far beyond the dungeon of yesterday,

Where I've been an aimless captive for years,

In the bondage of your sweet memories.

There are certain queries confined within my thoughts,

That only time can reveal the answers untold,

And right deep inside my heart which has been long injured,

A little hope exists that someday our paths shall cross.

(Riz)

Childhood Souvenir

I remember way back before,

When days are young and immature,

I've found a treasure so precious and rare,

A friend who revealed happiness and care.

I remember the best times before,
When moments passing were secured,
No worries and sadness by your side,
Comforted by a friend's advice.

I remember the sweetest company,
And the impressive treatment towards me,
Of a perfect friend and partner,
My priceless Childhood Souvenir.

- Riza (10-17-97/Iligan)

APOLOGY

Out from nowhere bleeds a scarlet flow,
Staining a heart as white as snow,
All blemished passion, a love abandoned,
Forsaken promise of the days bygone.

Poisoned cup of words unfaithful,
Basin filled with tears sorrowful,
Blossomed oath utterly withered,
Ashes of commitment smoldered.

Downbeat spirit genuinely divine,
Fatally wounded by torments unkind,
Contrite words appease the pained pride,
Untangle hatred from the heart.

Endow pardon to an apologetic soul,
Recognized lapses and admitted fault,
Faltered words, imperfection, oversight,
The princess now submits to her knight.

- Riz (1-7-05/kgs)