Remembering Randy

I was cleaning my closet when a piece of folded paper fall from one of my old books. I opened the page and it was a poem written by my former UP professor Randy M. Bustamante. He was my teacher in Humanities I during my first ever summer class in college, the year was 2000. During that time this subject is taught in English unlike now that it is taught in Filipino. I miss Sir Randy, he was the one who told me that I can be a good theater actor after I portray Caliban from Shakespearean novel, The Tempest, in our class play presentation. But acting on stage was not my priority then since I'm taking up Business Administration that time. By the way, here is the poem that I want to share with you...

REMEMBERING NOAH


And then God remembered Noah...
Genesis 8:1

Not that God
had forgotten, no:

the violence of man's
forgetfulness churned

the waters of the world
and the ocean above

came rushing down
to meld with the swelling seas,

re-calling the darkness
before the the speaking of light.

The voice of the rain
seeped into the ark,

daring the huddled bodies
re-member tree-limbs

mountain-face, earth-skin,
but the terrible wetness

had blurred their sight.
Then God breathed on everything

(hair and feather, fleece and hide)
and downpour and deluge dried.

The ark beneath benevolent arch
opened to the flapping of wings,

rumble of hooves, wild, grateful joy,
for memory is mercy

and the heart of the remembering God
a vast dry land strewn with iridescence

and lushness, yes, unforgettable lushness.

Remembering Randy

I was cleaning my closet when a piece of folded paper fall from one of my old books. I opened the page and it was a poem written by my former UP professor Randy M. Bustamante. He was my teacher in Humanities I during my first ever semester in college, the year was 2000. During that time this subject is taught in English unlike now that it is taught in Filipino. I miss Sir Randy, he was the one who told me that I can be a good theater actor after I portray Caliban in Shakespearean novel, The Tempest. But acting on stage was not my priority then since I'm taking up Business Administration that time. By the way, here is the poem that I want to share with you"

REMEMBERING NOAH


And then God remembered Noah...
Genesis 8:1

Not that God
had forgotten, no:

the violence of man's
forgetfulness churned

the waters of the world
and the ocean above

came rushing down
to meld with the swelling seas,

re-calling the darkness
before the the speaking of light.

The voice of the rain
seeped into the ark,

daring the huddled bodies
re-member tree-limbs

mountain-face, earth-skin,
but the terrible wetness

had blurred their sight.
Then God breathed on everything

(hair and feather, fleece and hide)
and downpour and deluge dried.

The ark beneath benevolent arch
opened to the flapping of wings,

rumble of hooves, wild, grateful joy,
for memory is mercy

and the heart of the remembering God
a vast dry land strewn with iridescence

and lushness, yes, unforgettable lushness.

Poem: Juliet's Lamentation

Calm is the weather in my heart
Who's pure and innocent from the start;
Til Cupid seat forth his fatal bow
Where love implants and soon will grow.

Hmm, whose eyes a shining armour
Of deepest reflection he implore;
For mine's most divine sensation
A love so boundless, eternal devotion.

Yet, I agreed in earnest passion
Brought in the midst of this lamentation;
For his calm is mine's adversary
And this love will surely end bitterly.

Oh, enamoured heart who sung in pain
Besought thy patron's favor in vain;
Did the fates fled fortune like a dove?
From me and my only, my beloved?

Atrodious parents, why did restrain?
Had suffered lovers of sweetest strain;
Imprisoned heart and fettered soul
Had caused thy mountful lover's fall.

Ye! Ungrateful kindred, ungrateful life
Cruel destiny shall end with a knife;
Thy death, my love, shan't part us long
For I'll follow thy shade with my song.