Reflection

Painting by Leo Carlo R Rotor
Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

Prize winner, Contest on Human Values through Painting
and Mural, Sri Sathya Sai Organization, Metro Manila, 2001

Reflection - two faces in one,
in one's mind and heart;
of the past and the present,
prelude to all art.

Reflection - the self and the other
fellow, foe or friend;
in war and peace, want and plenty,
humbles at the end.

Reflection - The Prince and the Pauper,
and The Little Prince;
Les Miserables, Christmas Carol, 
one's life ever since.~

Kites and Dreams

Abe V Rotor

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.~ 

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.  ~

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. ~

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. ~