Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Kites and Dreams



Mural detail, AVR

When I was young I dreamed with kites;
the higher they flew, the happier I was -
yet sadder, lonelier.

For who would like to stay up for long,
perhaps forever in the sky,
lofty it may be.

It is not always good to dream;
for a strong wind comes suddenly
and breaks the string.

And if my kite didn't fly, as it did
many times; well, dreams are
but air castles. 

I loved big kites, big dreams,
until they took me away -
far, far away.

And never built and flew kites again,
yet kept on dreaming,
of returning.~ 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Make these dogs happy

Abe V Rotor


Pastel drawing by Anna Christina R Rotor, circa 2000

Make these dogs happy, I once asked a child,
with pencil drew a pair of bone,
which made a change in the dogs' expression,
their tails and eyes had shown.

Another child drew a house in gaily colors;
with arch door and window;
and he wrote the name of the new owner,
but King slept on its shadow.

Another child drew a tree with a bird's nest
which is happier, dog or bird?
He is referee, matchmaker, guardian,
he plays the role of the third.

Up front a child made familiar drawings:
playthings for dog and child.
happiness is in playing the same game
with the master though how wild.  

At the back, a little girl kept drawing;
shy, she hid her work but I saw.
Why she had unchained the dogs! Freedom!
she wrote with knitted brow.

Here I saw two views, domestic and wild -
which is sad, which is happy?
How little I know of the lesson I ought to know,
of dogs in the wild and free.  ~

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Star Gazer

 Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night

Abe V Rotor

The moon is round and golden tonight
      Amidst diamonds twinkling,
Like eyes peering in the waning light,
      And fireflies glowing.

The night is still in the moonlight,
      Save the wave and breeze,
The rasping of wings in hasty flight,
      That soon fades in peace.

I am a star gazer and wonder,
      How many stars I miss;
My mind is cold to explore and wander,
      And never at ease.
~

Friday, December 9, 2011

Prayer to Mary, Mother of Christ, on her Feastday, December 8

Abe V Rotor

Oh, mother immaculate, mother of mercy,
look at us as one humanity,
and bestow the grace of hope and capacity
to rise above sin and agony;
so that we shall attain courage to stand free
and face the world in humility;
make each of us your instrument of unity
in likeness of the Holy Family,
make us the builders of a State of Sanctity
where reign love, peace and harmony. ~

Monday, November 28, 2011

Mural Paintings of the Grand Palace of Thailand

Mural Paintings of the Grand Palace of Thailand
Photos and Verse by Dr Abe V Rotor

Also visit my other Blogs:
[avrotor.blogspot.com]
[Living with Nature]
[naturalism - the eighth sense] 


                                                        Author (right) and host from Vinafoods, Bangkok

 Mural, mural on the wall:
tell me who's the fairest of them all,
 the grandest, the most powerful - 

The wall is mute, its message full 
of wealth, power before the Fall,
and the secrets of its soul.~

Friday, November 25, 2011

Sunset

 Photo by Marlo R Rotor

Sunset:
call it beauty,

the color of war,
and death itself;
it is enough,
the passing of day.
the coming of night.


Quirino Bridge, Banaoang Pass, Santa, Ilocos Sur

Monday, November 14, 2011

A Prayer

Statue of Blessed Fr Pio, Lipa City


By Abe V Rotor

Take me from this world a moment

To be with you in this holy event;

From Your seat to down below I see

My friends, my enemies, and me.