Burn

A Sijo

By Sitti Miriya Kiara Geverola

Grade 8 - Dignity

As the final rays of the sun fade, she says, “I have to leave.”

“Think of me as the sun,” she tells me.  “Indeed you are,” I reply.

I wish she could stay. “You light me up, but leave me sunburned.”   

The Howling Wind

A Sijo
By Andrea Gianna Villamil
Grade 8 - Dignity

Though we are friends, don’t be arrogant and don’t tell me what to do.

No matter how the wind howls, the bamboo will never be broken.

If you can stop the wind, then I can acknowledge you for that.

Oxygen

A Sijo 
By Jarren Toreon
Grade 8 - Dignity

You are the oxygen of my life and I can’t breathe without you.

That’s why I need you every single minute of the day.

But with only you, will I still survive in this harsh life?

Why'd You Leave Me?

A Sijo
By Trisha Nicole de los Santos
Grade 8 - Dignity

How can you say you can’t live without me now that you’ve left me?

You said you loved me, but why did you leave me wounded like this?

Now that I’ve moved on, you’ve come back to break my heart again.

The Fear of the Wonderful Tree

A Sijo
By Kyrra Dominique Kho
Grade 8 - Dignity

Oh wonderful tree, what are you most afraid of?  Is it me?

You’ve been afraid of people; is it because we killed your friends?

But now, you’ve overcome your fear to fight us until the end.

Regrowth

A Sijo
By Billy Scott Badayos
Grade 8 - Dignity

You told me that I was not enough, that I am lacking.

Our once beautiful forest was burned by your scorching fires;

But the forest has regrown, bound by the chains of our love.

Surroundings

A Sijo

By Lovely Joy Monacillo

Grade 8 - Dignity

Can I ask you something?  Why are you not cheerful like the flowers?

Your mood is like the atmosphere that changes the sky every day.

But without the sky and the flowers, like you, I will not survive.

The Cold Wind Back Home

A Sijo
By Jerel Daniel Abecia
Grade 8 - Dignity

The vastness of the cold wind in the middle of the forest;

My skin tingles every time the cold wind passes over my skin

It reminds me of the cold wind back home where it pains me.

Come Back

A Sijo
By Shane Grant Saycon
Grade 8 - Dignity

I was feeling gloomy and sad when you left me all alone.

When thunder and lightning struck, it brought back all of our memories.

But I’ll stay on this lonely road, waiting for you to come back home.

Squad

A Sijo
By Adrian Louise Aniñon
Grade 8 - Dignity

The sun rises again in a place where we used to have fun.

Every day, we gather around like flowers waving around;

A place where memories were made with the most annoying friends.

Feelings

A Sijo
By Rea Mae Bascon
Grade 8 - Dignity

Love can make you smile; it can make you happy and inspired.

It can inspire you and make everything seem possible.

But love can sometimes hurt you, so be careful what you wish for.

The Bright Sun

A Sijo
By Zen Nathaniel Yuzon
Grade 8 - Dignity

Morning has come again; the sun shines as bright as you.

Today is a sunny day, as bright as California.

But you appear in mornings and afternoons, never at night.

Promises are Jokes

A Sijo
By Amethyst Marquez
Grade 8 - Dignity

As the wind closes the door, so does your space in my heart.

As the flowers bloom and fold, so do my feelings towards you.

On this day, jokes are the truth and promises are the lies.

One with the Pot

A Sijo
By Mike Daniel Espeja
Grade 8 - Dignity

I am one with the pot—it is the most amazing thing.

I like to sit in the pot—it is the most peaceful place.

But wait.  Is this a pot?  I think it is too big to be a pot.

Farewell

An Elegy
By Rinson Joy Taborada
Grade 9 - Mercy

You were like a red rose

That everyone yearned for.

Now, you've faded away;

Slowly slipping by the bay.

Now, you've left me with scars

That you can never heal.

I gazed at the sky for stars,

Wishing you were still here.

You illuminated like the sun

That shone through everyone.

You have given me fun.

Now, everything is done.

Without You

An Elegy
By Karl Philip Dondoyano
Grade 9 - Mercy

I’m like a spoon that

Has lost a fork and was thrown away;

Like I was being a brat

Who lost his shoes in the month of May.

I can never feel like before.

I was crying on the shore.

You’re the reason I’m feeling blue;

And you left with no clue.

Now, you’re gone

And you’re on the other side.

I thank you for all the fun,

But you were supposed to be my bride.

'Til Next Time

An Elegy
By Rhoda Maribojoc
Grade 9 - Mercy

Everybody feels the sorrow

Over the time that they borrow.

And now, you’re gone.

You were shot with a gun.

I burst into tears.

This was my worst of fears.

We never said goodbye,

And now I can't help but cry.

The memories we had

Were both good and bad.

And now you’re with Him.

You were nothing but a dream.

Memories

An Elegy
By Amaziah Lily Anne de Rosas
Grade 9 - Mercy

Everybody is broken

For someone was taken.

Everybody burst into tears

Because of their fears.

And now, you are gone.

It doesn’t mean that we’re done.

The worries I had

Were not that bad.

The times I spent with you, though,

Not even the wind can blow.

We were still seven

When you were taken to heaven.

The Leaf That Fell

An Elegy
By Lilian Ruth Joyce Cutang
Grade 9 - Mercy

When the leaf fell from the tree,

We needed to set it free.

Time passed by; nothing changed.

Without you, things went strange.

You left me with a smile.

Now, you;ve taken another mile;

Left me with memories,

Flew off for centuries.

You have made the flowers bloom

Inside a dirty room.

Took off the weeds of my life;

You saved me from a knife.

Buddy

An Elegy
By Linoel Hahn Lantaca
Grade 9 - Mercy

You were their inspiration,

And not to mention their motivation.

We always thought losing you was impossible.

It turns out nothing is untakeable.

I’m glad I had the chance to know you.

My world was so wonderful with you.

When I lost you, I broke down

Like glass shattered to pieces.

I couldn’t believe my ever dearest buddy

Would be taken like first kisses.

All praises I give to thee

For being an inspiration to me.

I couldn’t ask for a better relationship

Than this special thing we call friendship.

Time to Go

An Elegy
By Tisha Gail Miranda
Grade 9 - Mercy

You are like a tree

That people want to see;

Like a leaf that was falling,

You didn’t hear them calling.

My sleepless nights

Can be seen in lights.

The sorrow I feel inside

Makes me cry outside.

The good things you made

Will never fade.

They will stay in our minds

Like the day you left behind.

How Can I Tell Her?

A Sonnet

By Marco Matthew Belarmino

Grade 9 - Mercy

Why do we confess love to each other?

Because it’s how we show our love at night.

We exchange promises to each other.

I slept and dreamt of great love in my life.

When love was first introduced, it was light.

It was a light that came upon my bed.

I think about it every day and night.

The love we share is big, soft, nice, and red.

I found love the first time you and I met.

You were the one my heart wanted to tell.

I wanted to confess to you and let

You know that when I first saw you, I fell.

My deep love for you could be something great.

I will love you no matter it takes.

Weakness

An Elegy
By Shawn Zachary Pantojan
Grade 9 - Mercy

Something died in me

And I still can’t see;

Like a rose losing petals

Or slowly melting metals.

I’m a kite without a string

And no one cares for a thing.

Darkness is my common fear.

But when you are with me,

There are no tears.

Sometimes I often call.

But at the edge, I fall.

I miss your face,

But I never tried to solve the case.

Soon

An Elegy
By Maria Theresa Codilla
Grade 9 - Mercy

The moon was filled with darkness,

For everyone feels sadness.

Their eyes are turning red

And they don’t want to go to bed.

The sky is blue

And so are you.

You are already gone,

But memories do not run.

The moments we spend together

Will last forever.

And you’re in a happy place

Where you will see God’s face.

My Mother and Father

By Kurvin Li Richard Villanueva
Grade 7 - Unity

I love my Mother and Father.

They always care for me.

They always buy what I need,

And they always cherish me.

They discipline me when I’m bad,

And sometimes, it makes me mad.

But they discipline me because they love me.

And I will also love them as long as can be.

I love them more than silver and gold.

And I will never be sad when they get old.

I will never tear them apart

Because I love them with all of my heart.

You Were Mine

By Alexandra Arwen Cinco
Grade 7 - Unity

It’s the little things you do

That catch my eye;

You just make me swoon

And make me sigh.

To me, your words are a soothing lullaby.

They always make me smile.

And every time you pass me by,

You made sure I knew that you were mine.

But the time came

When it was almost the end,

When you had to say goodbye,

But none of us tried to mend.

Friendship

By Jose Enrico Mawiwang
Grade 7 - Unity

Your foundation will strongly stand.

You will forever lend a hand.

Your future’s always grand.

And the obstacles, you’ll forebear and withstand.

You will fight for what’s right.

Your fort will be filled with might.

Your feelings will be full of delight.

And your good flashbacks will become good insight.

You will forgive those who wronged you.

Your face will never be blue.

You will finish the race you went through.

But always remember that I will be a friend to you.

To My Partner in Crime

By Frances Jeanna Antonie Enriquez
Grade 7 - Unity

We were a standing ovation,

And there’s nothing I have to mention.

But can you remember what we were?

Because what we were was perfection.

The chances I gave

Were the chances you threw.

All the hearts I drew

Used to be for you.

We might think this is the end,

But this is the love we cannot mend.

You used to be my partner in crime,

But right now, I no longer know how to rhyme.

My Mom

By Kiwi Rayvon Galicia
Grade 7 - Unity

I love my Mom because she cares for me.

She has overflowing love that I can clearly see.

At times when I fail, she helps me study.

And that is why I love my Mommy.

At times, she scolds me for doing something wrong.

And after all that, she just sings me a song.

And at times when I feel sad,

She’ll also feel sad and call my Dad.

When it’s time to feed me food,

All I can say is, “Thank you for being good.”

Me, my Mom, my Dad, and my dogs are one happy family.

And no matter what, we will always live happily.

To Somebody I Know

By Trixie Zac Izael Gitgano
Grade 7 - Unity

I miss your smile,

And I know it’s been a while.

But just to let you know,

I would always be there wherever you go.

You might think I’m crazy,

But I think you are a thief of souls.

And look over there!

It’s my heart you stole.

Saying you love me wasn’t an easy task.

So if you ask…

I wouldn’t be afraid anymore

To say that I will love you forevermore.

Love is Free

By Raziel Josh Selma

Grade 7 - Unity

Love is free

As it can ever be.

You must get it with haste

Or it will be a waste.

Love is free.

It is also for three.

You can share it to friends

Until the world ends.

Love is free,

But it’s like a killer bee.

Yes, love can sting,

But you have to endure the thing.

I'm Broken

By Shanne Kyzel Abella
Grade 7 - Unity

Sweet as honey;

Cute as a bunny;

You stay in my heart.

We will never be apart.

Stay in my heart until the end.

I will make you happy and

Together we can stand forever;

And we can stay together.

You left me in peace,

But left me in pieces.

My heart became frozen

When you left it broken.

Friendship

By Jose Enrico Maniwang
Grade 7 - Unity

Your foundation will strongly stand.

You will forever lend a hand.

Your future’s always grand.

And the obstacles, you’ll forebear and withstand.

You will fight for what’s right.

Your fort will be filled with might.

Your feelings will be full of delight.

And your good flashbacks will become good insight.

You will forgive those who wronged you.

Your face will never be blue.

You will finish the race you went through.

But always remember that I will be a friend to you.