WHO HAS time for poetry these days?
But I thought that if I could put a pink twist on poetry, maybe, just maybe, some people will get interested.
And if I do my job well, I might even educate people not only on poetry and poesy, but also about protest and propaganda, and Philippine politics.
And so, I dare with the alliteration— Pink Poetry: Propaganda, Protest, and Philippine Politics with The PSN.
So now, you know.
***
And we continue with…
Lesson 2:
Sabihin ang idea mo (kahit gaano pa kaordinario) sa paraang bago.
Bagong equation, bagong metaphora, bagong salita, bagong imahen.
In short, bigyan ng bagong mga mata ang mambabasa to see the world.
***
#ThePSN secret: Think like a child.
Do not be afraid to experiment.
Do not be afraid to try and fail.
I take photos during my walks/runs kasi each time, the scene/view is slightly different.
The camera lens/point-of-view lets me focus on details.
New ways of seeing includes zooming in and/or zooming out.
***
Your turn: Write a poem about how you (or someone you know) support Leni in your own special way.
You may also include how others give their support; but focus on what you do.
We all support Leni, but I’m sure Leni would like to hear your own unique story, in your own words.
***
Again, not bound by my own prompts, I write poems to help challenge the ideas of my workshop participants.
I show them the possibilities of poems.
I show them where poems can go, and what shapes they may take.
***
ANG BOTO NI ALING NENA
ni Peter Solis Nery
Sa bawat halalan, si Aling Nena’y
Bumuboto—malamang mas matino
Kaysa kay Mang Tasiong nabibili
Ng ‘sanlibo o kahit na dalawang daan
Na lamang ang boto’t kawalang-prinsipyo.
Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, si Aling Nena’y
Naiiyak, naghihirap, patuloy na
Naglalaba ng mga pinaglumaa’t
Kumukusot ng mga mantsa.
Sa gabi, hindi s’ya makatulog
Sa bangungot ng anak n’yang
Itinumba, kinse, nakursunadahang
Gawing halimbawa ng drogista… raw
Aktibista, komunista kuno; mabait si Boy
Matangkad, gwapo, ngunit payat, patpatin
Dahil palaging gutom, pagod, puyat.
Ano ba ang kasalanan ni Boy Gwapo?
Pero may dapat sisihin, may dapat
Barilin at patahimikin dahil
Pilipinas ito, talamak ang droga
Talamak ang vote-buying, talamak
Ang patayan ng mga isang kahig
Isang tuka na nakapagbasa at
Pumupuna sa pamamahala
Ng mga halal nating panginoon.
Sa Pilipinas, walang paggalang
Sa inosenteng mga bata’t matitinong
Mga boto katulad ng kay Aling Nenang
Umaasa pa ring mamulat din ang iba
Magising ang mga kapit-bahay
Sa moro-moro ng mga politikong ganid
Sakim, mapagkunwari; mga politikong
Mula sa mga angkan ng mga batikang
Sinungaling at magnanakaw.
***
I’m really proud of myself for writing in Filipino.
I mean, I really am very comfortable with English.
But if I’m reaching a bigger audience with my Filipino, then Filipino it is for now.
***
More and more, I’m getting sold to the idea of publishing first the poems from the workshop here in my column.
It’s just a wonderful Christmas gift to be hearing other voices in my own column here at Panay News.
And since it is the season of Christmas, you can just think of us as a choir or carolers passing through and sharing our thoughts in the Op-Ed pages.
| Yes, you are welcome! (To be continued)/PN |
