Botanical Sonnets

Chapter 19: Trumpet Creeper

FRANSCILLA
(Flower Sonnet XVII)

1

Long time no see, my fairest memorabilia

On the demarche of taming time into spotlight

My heart rebuilds a fortress for the awaited dulcinea

Brimming the hope of fulfilling my delight

2

If waiting is a rapture, then one must be above the sky

Ambiguous, blur and discreet it may seem to show

Nevertheless, when I cease to let hope and misery collide

Patience teaches healing as tears has a kong way to go

3

Will I ever recognize the same love if it never wore the same face?

In a sweet confession of irreversable stake

As the hummingbirds start to evade

Who would have thought that I once took the one I could never take

4

The rails reflect above the magnificent constellation

Under the hyacinth mystics of brooding twilight

Deep within my faint spur of devotion

I hope to see you in my dreams tonight

5

A smile in your heart is all I could ever keep

So that the stars behind my sky would no longer weep

*****

BAHAGYA akong nag unat-unat ng braso at humikab habang tinatanaw ang bukang liwayway sa labas ng aming paaralan. Bandang alas sais pa lamang ng umaga ngunit agaw-pansin ang dami ng sophomore at senior students na magdadaos ng community extension project sa Aphrodite Foundation. Papasibol pa lamang ang araw sa malamlam na kalangitan kaya napahalukipkip ako sa dalang lamig nito.

Napatungo ako at tinignan ang kaisa-isang kulay itim na bagahe. Hindi ganoon karami ang laman nito sapagkat ibinilin sa amin ng event director na isang araw lang kaming magpapalipas ng gabi roon. Lumingon ako sa kinaroroonan ng aming bise presidente kung saan siya nag aanunsyo ng mahahalagang detalye ukol sa gaganaping outreach. Itinuon ko ang aking atensyon doon kahit pa man may iilang students na napabaling sa pambihirang kasuotan ko.

"As soon as we arrive in our community outreach venue, everyone should strictly unload their luggages for security and prior surveillance purposes. The preparation of meals, supplies and goods shall commence at exactly ten o' clock in the morning. No more collection of donations and funds or filing of waivers since the pre-assessment task has been already replenished two days ago. Upon conducting the activities, those assigned officers must abide by the settled plan of action in our project proposal so that the simultaneous flow of event will not be disrupted with inconvenient alterations and disturbances. Each committee, particularly the food and refreshment committee, should follow the scheduled time and avoid unnecessary contraventions. If incase the budget becomes out of hand, our project head must immediately address the concern to the budget and finance officer."