Remembering a Retired Teacher

You welcomed the young with open arms,

They who hailed from far across some farms;

Like the Lorelie, you lured them with your charms,

Hidden behind a friendly smile that warms.

Like a first born daughter or son,

You valued each child's life second to none;

Of their precious health, you were the guardian,

With better nourishment, you acquainted everyone.

You developed their fluency in the language,

And moulded them into little stars on the stage;

In competition, you gave them courage,

And harnessed their skills to their advantage.

Sports, you never set aside at all,

Hence you also taught them tricks with the ball;

To break the monotony of facing the wall,

You seasoned their life with experience outside the hall.

You did not fail to give scouting a space,

By training the little ones to survive in many ways;

To discern which value to embrace,

And enjoy life in the open, or in another place.

Sweet were your memories of every December,

The times when you and the kids spent Christmas together;

From you, they learned to give and to remember,

To them, you were friend, their "Santa" or gift-giver.

You were never selfish of your cooperation,

To the community or any organization;

You extended your services without hesitation,

Unmindful of the return or compensation.

In every school project or undertaking,

You did your part without complaining;

You believed that every good thing is worth doing,

You did well inspite of the meager wage you were receiving.

When each school year came to its end,

You, let go of the flock that you tend;

They're sad to leave, but with no broken heart to mend,

'Cause everyone, to the next grade you send.

So it came to pass, each year went slipping through your fingers,

Each briefest hours went winging with children's laughters;

Until one morn you bid farewell to your co-workers,

To join the clan of the retired teachers.

You retired from services but not from teaching,

Cause you rose from your ashes after a moment of dying;

This time, with Catechism, you go on preaching,

The mission to spread truth, you never cease loving.

You proved that "once a teacher, always a teacher",

Your loyalty lingers like a flickering ember;

To you, goodbye is not forever,

But only an interlude of now and thereafter.

by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

The Ballad of Old Narra Tree

Down the river by the valley,

Gruesome death seized old narra tree;
By the flood, 'twas swept ragingly,
Left at the mercy of the sea.


Hit and tossed by the angry waves,
It badly broke all of its limbs;
In the heart of the ocean's realms,
It was buried with all its dreams.


Old narra's woeful destiny,
Was man's responsibility.
He trampled very heedlessly,
Each big and little living tree.


He ruthlessly burned the forests,
And cleared the hills and the mountains;
All these, he did until the rains,
Came swiftly rushing down the plains.


Roaring wildly, the waters ran,
Towards the farms of the lowland;
Covering every blade and strand,
With silt and mud from the highland.


Even the slumbering bamboo,
By the current, was carried too;
Its creaking screams seemed to echo:
"Stupid man, I blame none but you!"


Then when came the season of heat,
The red sun glared in rays the seethe;
Scorching poor Mother Earth that writhe,
As she nurses her burns with spite.

She suffered and endured with gripe,
The grave disaster and the plight;
Brought about to the utmost height,
By ignorance and dim foresight.

Rain sulked too, for it couldn't find,
Friend narra in the vale enshrined;
Whom it used to call in the bend,
On its way to the rainbow's end.

And so, drought spelled over the range,
Fields died, from dehydrated veins;
Through man's blunder old narra was gone,
And spared from Heaven's wrath was none.










by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Listen to My Lovesong

Listen to this love song,
Which my heart is singing;
Because you came along,
With your tender feeling.
Listen to my lovesong,
Wherever you may be;
Let its endearing notes,
Make you feel you're near me.
When you're with me dear,
The skies seem always clear;
I need not shed a tear,
With you, I have no fear.
Listen to my love song,
Let it aflame your heart;
With song strains of splendor,
That make love's magic start.
Darling, hear my heart singing,
The romance and symphony made just for you;
Wherever you may be,
May you keep this within your heart,
I love you.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero-Torrento

Your Music and My Song

Lift the soul of my song to a spire,
Let it ride on the wings of your lyre;
Let each note of your melody bring,
Lilt and grace to my poetry's fling.

A song, long been awaiting for you,
Aches to live and not fade in the blue;
It's a rapsody wove in fine words,
Come, breathe ecstacys into the chords.

My song slept in my memory then,
Now, the symphony wakened again;
My song throbs with the strains of your heart,
When you strum your sweet music to start.

Then, your music and my song remain,
As you sing its undying refrain;
And will tenderly live in our dreams,
Among angels' most beautiful hymns.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Lamentation by a Graveside

So many words I left unsaid,
I closed my mind and sulked instead;
And when at last I breathed each word,
My voice just waned on air,unhead.

So many tears, my eyes withheld,
The anguish, clothed with will unfelled;
And when I freed the pains untold,
They drenched your grave so numb and cold.

So many faces, sight has skipped,
With it, the chance to see you, slipped;
And when I searched for you around,
Alas, you're nowhere to be found.

Now, though beside your grave I weep,
Releasing all the grief I keep;
I languish mournfully in vain,
Because in silence, you remain.

I should have deeply loved you so,
When you were here to feel and know;
I should have fondled or caressed,
While time, from flight, was still at rest.



by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Boracay

When on that first of May afternoon,
We had to leave Boracay so soon;
I felt so lonely as one forlorn,
For the time that passed can't be reborn.

Petty memories that deck my mind,
Are but precious tokens I can find;
Of the blissful place we left behind,
With images in my heart enshrined.

The clean, white sands clinging to my feet,
Sunset where the sea and the sky meet;
Sand castles by the shore proudly greet,
Welcoming sightseers to a treat.

I shall always fondly remember,
Those fun-showered moments of summer;
And cherish through the changing weather,
The hours of communion with nature.

The morning mist that shields the sun's rays,
The evening fog that enshrouds the trees;
The blue water glimpsed from a terrace,
Boracay is blessed to have all these!





by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

It's Time to Say, Farewell

We were once little kids that stuttered,
The little ones who played and chattered;
Now we have grown a bit older,
And we've grown a little bit taller.

Busy school days swiftly rolled over,
With one season after the other;
We clutch the moments sweet and tender,
As we depart from one another.

So now, it's time to leave with a sigh,
For now is the time to say goodbye;
To our beloved Alma Mater,
And to every schoolmate and teacher.

As we descend the stage proudly decked,
With laurels of triumph and honors;
Place those bright garlands around our neck,
And give the sweetest bouquet of flowers.

To far horizons we may travel,
But still in our hearts will always dwell;
Petty memories we loved so well,
So farewell to everyone, farewell.





by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Once There Was a Mother

Once, there was a mother,
A gentle, jolly mother;
Each day I loved her better,
To me there could be no other.


Like merry birds that sing,
Her mellow voice would ring;
Pep songs in the morning,
Lullabys in the evening.

Each early Christmas night,
She's light the lanterns bright;
Then a verse she would recite,
While I listened with delight.

But one lonely afternoon,
My young heart she left to mourn;
She was gone like silent moon,
That stalls away at break of dawn.

By: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Tigbauan Hymn

You are a most precious gem, Tigbauan,
The spacious sea is your beloved one;
You are a very much cherished treasure,
Of our long ago, ancient forefathers.

In your lush and verdant plains, Tigbauan,
Our parents have sown with aspiration;
Ardent desires for emancipation,
And dreams of a resplendent tomorrow.

Tigbauan, your strands are fully-laden,
your coconut palm wine tastes like honey;
Truly delicious are the fish from the sea,
And the maidens are dainty and pretty.

Tigbauan, in you, hope always lingers,
Your hidden wealth abounds everywhere;
Held in store for who dare to endeavor,
The hard-working will never face hunger.

In your temple of worship and your streets,
Unfadingly inscribed in blood and tears;
Of your own dearest heroic children,
Your immortal history, Tigbauan!

Tigbauan, you are a fair Edenland,
Where live the people who are known to be;
So sympathetic and so endearing,
And fervently believes in the Almighty.

Tigbauan, beautiful and untroubled,
Nest of intimacy and happiness;
Long live, Tigbauan, home of the free,
"Mabuhay" "O, Tigbauan, Mabuhay."




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Ngayong Wala Ka Na, Ina

Kay tagal ng lumipas na panahon,
At napakamaraming nagdaang taon;
Ako'y kusang naghintay nang malaon,
Na marinig ang mga salitang 'yon.

Ngunit ni minsan ay di ko narinig,
Yaong mga kataga ng pag-ibig;
Kahit tayo ay laging magkaniig,
Nanatili kang pipi at malamig.

Wari ko, sadyang di mo kailangan,
At sa buhay mo, ako'y kalabisan;
Akala ko, 'yong katahamikan,
Badya ng pagtatakwil na tuluyan.

Naramdaman ko man ang mga haplos,
Ay hindi ko pa rin sukat natalos;
Pagmamahal na sa 'yong puso'y taos,
Ang pahiwatig ng 'yong mga kilos.

Kaya puso'y hinanakit ang kimkim,
Isip ay sakbibi ng paninimdim;
Mga luha ay pumatak nang lihim,
Buhay ay balot ng lumbay at dilim.

At dahil ako'y labis na nasaktan,
Mga pagsamo'y di ko pinagbigyan;
Pagdaraing mo'y di ko pinakinggan,
Naging manhid sa iyong kalungkutan.

Ang pagnanais na ika'y damayan,
Ay ikinubli ko at pinigilan;
Kahit naghirap din ang kalooban,
Tinikis kita at tinalikuran.

Ngayong sa yaring buhay ay nawala,
Ikaw na yumaong baon ay luha;
Saka lamang natanto at nadama,
Na wala ka palang kasinghalaga.

Habang buhay manghihingi ng tawad,
Pagkalinga'y di ko na maigawad;
Sana, noon pa yaon isinaad,
Sayang, di kita minahal kaagad.



by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Tribute To The Teacher

Teacher, should anyone write your story,
It would be most properly told this way;
You live the life of a missionary,
Serving as the light of humanity.

You leave your humble cot at break of day,
The distant school is your destiny;
Bearing the burden of responsibility,
Which thy noble profession has placed on thee.

A caring shepherd to some forty strong,
You commence the day with the national song;
Then let your brood pick up some trash for not so long,
Watching that the naughty ones may not do wrong.

When you are through tidying up the ground,
So it would be safe for kids to roam around;
Into the classroom you are promptly bound,
Everyone accounted for safe and sound.

Before everything else, the Lord you praise,
Letting the children recite their prayers with ease;
Touching each young mind with simple grace,
Impressing God's image through time and space.

Like an angel with invisible wings,
You candidly smile to each child who sings;
Then, with good manners imbue the young little things,
Telling them of the joy a "Please" or "Thank you" brings.

Before your class, you are the superstar,
Each flip of your finger is magic from afar;
As you discuss all topics, from love to war,
With awe and wonder, children's ears stand like a radar.

When a prodigal one strays from the fold,
Not with hateful anger, you wisely scold;
For all that you intend is but to mould,
All children, into men with hearts of gold.

Like the gentle showers that drench the land,
You quench learners' thirst with your magic wand;
Framing letters A to Z with your hand,
The hyloplate and chalk at your command.

You are the artist who can describe in lines thin or wide,
The beauty and secrets that beyond the sunset hide;
And the scientist too, that can explain the tide,
Or, unfold the mystery of the world outside.

You're the agriculturist who trains every hand,
To exploit and nurture the gift of the land;
But a great choreographer when you danced,
And re-echo Beethoven's music like a band.

Children's progress, you note with vigilance,
The weak and the slow, you give a fair chance;
Never failing to give due allowance,
To shortcomings brought about by ignorance.

Remedial measures, you efficiently give,
In the improbability of man, you believe;
With perseverance, you polish till you achieve,
Targets, with which no remuneration you receive.

Never did you chatter and prattle,
Nor bragged of any unfought battle;
You busied your day with a hustle,
Researching from pages that crackle.

You rush to the clinic a hurt first grader,
As one like a doctor, nurse or first aider;
You're nothing less than a crutch to a toddler,
Coaching each little one to grow a bit bolder.

You depart your workshop at close of day,
With mind focused at the community;
As with the young, you try to deliver the old from illiteracy,
Aside from classroom load, you break your back with NFE.

When you reach home, the children are ready for bed,
They know you always come late so they dine ahead;
They understand your work for to them you said,
The home and the school, both you have wed.

Weary with toil, you haste yourself to sleep,
Knowing that soon, another morn shall creep;
And back to school, in a hurry you will leap,
For a vow of loyalty to service you must keep.

All these you do from year to year,
From June to March you labor till you wear;
The laws of morality you always adhere,
To meet people's eyes, you have no fear.

Come Election Day, throughout the country,
Stoic as a Spartan, you guard the ballots' sanctity;
To justice, clings steadfast your loyalty,
Even if, "Goodbye to life," you must say.

And to the village folks, you are fondly,
Their great Cicero or attorney;
You are the healer, preacher or the M.C.,
With services gratis et amore.

Ah! Teacher--- your breed had sprung unto this earth,
Even ahead of the Greatest Teacher's birth;
Time and again you have proven your worth,
Mankind hails you as the goddess of the hearth.

You served humanity beyond duty's call,
Through all the centuries, nations great and small;
You have counseled the wise and the humble,
Artist, doctors, sailors--- you made them all!

You are the silent brand, unsung hero,
Yet, laurels nor golden crown will not do;
For no reward can ever be so true,
Than with all our love, we will see you through!


by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Childish Wishes

I wish the earth is a garden,
Like the long talked-about Eden;
Where leaves are silver when olden,
And petals turn gold when fallen.

Wish there are fruits in every tree,
So very many as can be;
That no creature must go hungry,
And life is an eternity.

I wish too that every mountain,
With sturdy trees fully-laden;
And merry birds in their haven,
With live tunes the day awaken.

I wish that every human sees,
Wondrous, pretty tiny fairies;
Dance on tiptoe with awesome ease,
To the melody of the breeze.

And wish a child again I were,
Curled on the lap of my father;
Resting my head on his shoulder,
While he strokes my hair so tender.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

To A Flower

(Sampaguita)

Fairest bloom of summer,
Kissed by May time shower;
Why must you leave so soon,
Oh, sweetheart of the moon?

Now that storm days have come,
Joys in my heart are gone;
Blossoms that I adore,
Fragrance possessed, no more.

Fallen petals that deck,
The earth I now collect;
Faded, precious token,
Of star drops from heaven.

I'll always remember,
Withered bits of summer;
And cherish with fondness,
Your enchanting sweetness.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Angelus

Heavy tongue of an olden bell,
Wags and lets out a might yell;
Announcing the death of the day,
Calling back souls that go astray.

Humble lumps of clay big and small,
Stand motionless and heed the call;
A prayer from each heart's set free,
with every lonely toll from the old belfry.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Filipino Soldiers

Once, there were soldiers,
Who died for us;
They were the brave men,
Who lost their lives for us.

Once, there were fighters,
Who suffered for the cause;
The cause of freedom,
For all Filipnos.

They were the heroes,
Who freed us from chains.

Battles they fought,
Never counting the cost;
They offered their own lives,
So ours, would not be lost.

There could have been,
No country of our own;
No land, if not for them,
We can call our home.

But they are gone now,
To great beyond;
Gone from this homeland,
Which marked their bravest stand.

Gone from this valley,
Where blood of valiants flowed;
Could we forget them,
And the values they sowed?

Dear are the heroes,
Who freed us from chains.



by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Gumamela

You grow within the rhythm of summer and rain,
Singing to your bright red blossom that looks so grand to me;
Though you breathe no scent of unforgettable fragrance,
You tenderly clutch my heart with a touch of mystery.

For even when you leave so soon at the close of the day,
And your withered petals down to the ground, crinkled, they lay;
Yet the splendid radiance of your color I recall
Till shadows of night lure my carefree soul to slumber fall.

And when the world is warm, again you rise and ache to bloom,
Then burn with gay colors of blazing hues, defying the gloom;
When I gently caress your ruffled hem, you seem to smile,
Spread your gown with more flare, filling the earth with cheer awhile.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Noknok

When the earth is dark and calm,
And all the birds are home;
Settled closely on the palm,
Watching the grass owls roam;

A shadow will disappear,
From the door by the rear.
The moon coyly rises up,
And beams over the daisy

Father idly takes his cup,
And snore before the TV;
While his sneaky little lad,
Dips his barefoot in the mud.

Look for him in the meadow,
You'll find in the pond;
Biting a leaf of coco,
With a snail in his hand;

Coax him to hurry to bed,
He'll only shake his head.
He'll come home when Venus burns,
And fall asleep on the stair;

His ankles plastered with ferns,
And dewdrops sit on his hair;
He'll dream of bugs and berries,
Till earth lifts up her chalice.




by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Genee Marie

She grew up to the rhythm of the waves,
Of the singing winds and the rustling leaves;
She breathed the fragrance of the ocean breeze,
That swept across the sun kissed southern seas;

For her home stood by the sand-laden shore,
With talisay canopy by its door.
She may journey far but will not forget,
How the prickly sand grains with dewdrops wet;

Clutched at her soft little feet as she rolled,
Over the earth with gray carpets unfurled;
And there, the briefest hour went winging through,
With smell of seaweeds on her sole and toe.

She will always vividly remember,
The cold August morns when rain drenched her hair;
The scent of shells she picked and kept so well,
And all the things to which she bade farewell;

When on that fair June day she took her leave,
With youth's memories clinging to her sleeve





by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Iloilo

Iloilo, our very own most precious gem,
Enchanting queen of Western Visayan realm
In our fatherland's long forgotten yesterday
Nobly printed is your colorful history.

You are the cherished home of our dear forefathers
Who, in search for freedom, scoured the seamless waters.
Fiercely defended and held in veneration
Ever from generation to generation.

Iloilo, our homeland bountiful and fair,
Your vast and verdant plains are bathed with heaven's care
By the playful waves, your hem is fondly caressed
And kissed tenderly by the sun before its rest.

Though we may be drifted by destiny someday
To a horizon hundreds of miles faraway
Back to your lap where life first dawned, we will return
With our triumph and honor, your crown we will adorn.





by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento



__________________________________

Iloilo
-Hiligaynon, Ilonggo dialect

Iloilo, amon hamili nga hiyas
Mutya ka sang Nakatundan nga Visayas
Sa limot nga kahapon sang Pilipinas
Napagkit ang maduagon mong maragtas.
Ikaw ang pinasulabi nga puluy-an
Sadtong mga naghangad sang kahilwayan
Ginpangapinan kag ginpakabalaan
Sang mahal mong mga kaanakan.
Iloilo, matahum namon nga puod,
Duta nga ginadalo sang mga balod,
Kapatagan mo, sang langit ginatamod,
Ginahalukan sang adlaw sa pagtunod.
Bisan pa nga mapadpad sang kapalaran
Sa pinakamalayo nga gintaipan,
Ang sabak mo ang amon pagabalikan
Kag ihalad ang dungog kag kadalag-an

by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento
_________________________________

Iloilo
-Filipino Translation

Iloilo, minamahal naming hiyas,
Magandang mutya ng Kanlurang Bisayas
Sa limot na kahapon ng Pilipinas
Nakaukit ang makulay mong lumipas
Ikaw lamang ang tinatanging tahanan
Ng mga taong hanap ay kalayaan
Ipinagtanggol nang buong kagitingan
At idinambana sa puso't isipan.
Iloilo, marilag na lalawigan
Kasuyo ng alon sa dalampasigan
Kapatagan mo'y ng langit minamasdan
Hinahalikan ng araw sa paglisan.
Kahit na dalhin pa man ng kapalaran
Sa pinakamalayong guhit-tagpuan
Ang kandungan mo ang aming babalikan
Na handog ay tagumpay at karangalan.


by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento

Save the Earth

The sea is red,
Fishes are dead;
I truly dread,
Water is polluted.

If trees are cut,
Land will be hot,
Mountains will be bald,
There will be flood.

We won't live longer
If none will care
To love and spare
The gifts of nature.

Think of life's worth,
And the future births
Plant trees henceforth,
And save the earth.




by: Eugenio Tejero Torrento III