Free Verse
The Light
For too long
I have dwelt in darkness
blinded by false promises
of a world gone mad,
consumed by the egomaniacal
instant gratification creed
and narcissistic idolatry
of the throw-away generation
peopling today's society.
Where booze, drugs, sex
and getting high are
the main preoccupations
of mostly young purposeless lives
consigned to the quagmire
of hopelessness, despair
and unacknowledged guilt
with like-minded friends.
Then I see a light
flickering at first, till gradually
its blinding radiance consumes
all darkness and its minions;
and I feel so naked
afraid and ashamed
to show my face
with its telltale mask
of indifference and hate.
A gentle, soothing voice
then lifts and gathers me
in a warm embrace.
"Child of darkness
open your eyes,
come see the light
and confront your demons.
Resurrect the inherent goodness
they took away from you.
Take refuge in the security and love
of the family you have long forgotten.
Above all, come to me and
I will give you comfort and peace."
Senryu
widower's first date
her aggressiveness unsettles
his driving
dreaming sweet
dreams
the drunk wakes up
with a mannequin
the frail woman
in a wheelchair enjoys
her cigarette
domestic
quarrel again
he removes his hearing aid
and pretends sleeping
compulsive
gambler
he used his checkered silk tie
to hang himself
tired of
telemarketers
I learned to answer
no english speak here
About Victor
Gendrano, US
Victor Gendrano:
Since high school, Gendrano has been writing bilingually in
English and Tagalog, a major Philippine language. From 1987
to 1999, in California he published and edited
Heritage magazine, an English-language quarterly
dealing with Filipino culture, arts and letters. In November
2005, he published his first book,
Rustle of Bamboo Leaves: Selected haiku and
other poems. Aside from haiku, he also writes senryu, tanka,
haiga, haibun, Korean sijo, American cinquain, and free
verse. His works have been published in numerous online and
print magazines here and abroad as well as in anthologies.
He is a member of the Haiku Society of America, World Haiku
Club, Tanka Society of America, and the Anglo-Japanese Tanka
Society. Gendrano is a retired librarian with degrees from
Syracuse University, New York, and the University of the
Philppines.
Here is my
Haiku
and Senryu Harvest website (since December 2001)
My new blogsite,
since June 2008
This is Victor's first
appearance in Sketchbook.
