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)