Rational Insanity
Unexpected but well deserved
This week I would like to congratulate Marz Milliam for being declared Grand Prize Winner of the 2007 Meritage Press International Holiday Poetry Contest. His win was a very pleasant surprise but also a well deserved victory. He still can't believe that he won the contest. I know it takes some time for something really big to sink in, but sometimes a red carpet, when rolled out to you can also be very overwhelming. I would like to quote the words of judge Eric Gamalinda to give you an idea of how meritorious Marz' poem is. Judge Gamalinda said, "O.N.S. –Oras ng Silakbo (the title of the winning poem) is deceptively old-fashioned like a kundiman, but fused with a naughty, graphic eroticism and a verbal precision that no translation can do justice-by lines 7-9, I was captivated by its masterful lyricism.' Other winners were First Place, Co-Winner: "First Winter Passing" by Naya S. Valdellon, and Honorable Mention: "AN EXPLANATION" by R. Torres Pandan. Mar! cel is perhaps the first Ilonggo (Capiznon by association) to win this contest, and the very first Filipino entry to earn this honor. Below is Marz' winning poem. Congratulations again Marz!
O.N.S
(Oras ng Silakbo)
Unan mo'y mga bisig ko
Sa aandap-andap na ilaw
Kinumutan kita ng yakap
Hingal at kapwa sisinghap-singhap
Salikop ng labi mong bumibigay buhay
Angkin mo't ayaw mapaghiwalay
Mga anghel kaya'y magalit
Sa mapangahas kong pagpuslit
Sa likurang pintuan ng langit?
Buong lakas kong naisambulat
Sinimot, nilasap mo, ulang kumalat
Pagbuhos ng bugso ng nakaw na saglit
Saan kaya kakanlong, sa bagyong masalimuot
Ngunit haring araw, lulok na sa kanyang trono
Bangon na, bago pa man makahalata ang mundo
Halik ang syang tanging huling gawad
Bago lisanin, unan, kumot, bisig, at nakaw na saglit
Be rational; be insane…every once in a while!! TTFN!
I love you all! Byers!!!