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Tuesday, 14 February 2012

  • Wishing for quiet days.


         Yesterday afternoon, at around four, there was a sudden downpour.  This caught motorists heading for home off-guard during the after-office-hour rush and caused monstrous traffic jams in many parts of the metropolis, I gathered from the 6:00 o'clock news on TV.  As my speaking engagement was still at eight in the evening I stayed a little while at home and left the house at around seven. 

         "By now, the traffic situation must have already eased," I told myself. How wrong I was. 

         At the corner of Central and Visayas Avenue where I passed en route to my destination, traffic seemed to stand still.  The area was a little flooded which forced drivers to proceed with caution.  Though the windows of the air-conditioned car I was driving were closed, the sound of engines from the other cars could still be heard.  In the seemingly interminable span, I could only wish for .....

              QUIET DAYS

    Caught in the snarl of traffic,
    lost deeply in the city maze;
    How I long for years gone by.
    How I long for quiet days.

    Under a canopy of green,
    lulled by a murmuring brook;
    Sat I on an aging trunk,
    once, my favorite nook.

    Many a times have I dreamed
    of palaces and moats;
    Lads wearing wide-brimmed hats
    serenading lasses on riverboats.

    Steeples, turrets, gardens and ponds,
    fountains where tamed doves drink;
    All at once disappear from view,
    with a honk, in an eye's wink.

    Caught in the snarl of traffic,
    lost deeply in the city maze;
    Now I long for years gone by.
    Now I long for quiet days.


Tuesday, 07 February 2012

  • Friends: the 'family' we choose for ourselves.


         Who celebrates the good times and helps you through the bad times in your life?  Who listens when you just had a fight with your superior?  Who sees the 'real you' and likes you anyway? 

         The answer to those questions can be summed up in one word:  friend. Yes, aside from your immediate family (your wife, children, siblings, and parents), there is that circle of acquaintances we call friends:  the family, albeit the extended type, we choose for ourselves. 

         Things change in life. Jobs and addresses may come and go, but if we're fortunate, our friends stay with us throughout our lives, making each day better.  In celebration of friendship, February being designated as Friendship Month, here is my.....

    WHO IS A FRIEND?

    A friend?
    Who is he?
    No single word fits him:
    He is many things to many. 

    He is the sunshine,
    he is the rain;
    Warming the heart,
    dousing its pain.

    He is the sail -
    wind-steering the boat;
    Out in the open sea,
    keeps it afloat.

    He is the mirror -
    hanging on the wall;
    Straightway to your face blurts:
    Oh, my! You look like a troll!

    He is the hammer -
    pounding so hard;
    Wake up! Move fast!
    Don't be a sluggard.

    He is the pillow -
    cushioning your fall;
    Through thick and thin abides he,
    till you hear the last call.

    When things go wrong
    as they sometimes will;
    He is the sturdy hand holding the reins -
    Be steady. Keep still.

    In good times and bad times,
    he stands by you;
    Goes ahead, behind, alongside
    like a loyal shadow.

    Many things have been said
    of a friend.....who he is;
    Happy am I having you as my friend -
    making my heart truly at peace. 


    HAPPY FRIENDSHIP MONTH TO EVERYBODY OUT THERE!


Saturday, 04 February 2012

  • Remembering my mother.


         Nine years ago, today, my mother went the way of her forebears at the ripe age of 78. It was a hasty departure that she didn't even have the time to bid anyone of us goodbye. She needed that well-deserved rest, of course. What with nine children to her credit! Excluding her four miscarriages. Hers was really a feat.

         Anyway, I believe it was truly providential that I brought them (both my father and my mother) from their home in Villa Magsaysay, a barrio in the town of Babatngon, in the province of Leyte, to Quezon City, a year before, so they could be near me.  It thus became easy for me to make the necessary arrangements for the 5-day wake and the interment of her remains at the Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park.....my last acts of gratitude to the woman who nourished me from her womb up to the time I could already fend for myself.  And even during my growing up years, she was there.  Mother continued to be the beacon of light that illumined my path.  For that, I will always be thankful to her. 

         In remembrance of my mother and everything that she stood for, here is my poem ....

    AFTER HER DAYS ARE DONE....

    Then she sang her last song -
        the song she knew so well ....
    the song that speaks of happiness and love ....
        only a mother can tell.

    And then she danced her last dance -
        waving her hands, and smiling ....
    hinting no one, not even her life's love -
        she would soon be leaving.

    And then she breathed her last breath -
        in a world so full of strife....
    dreaming of paradise....of heaven
        and the promised eternal life.



Thursday, 02 February 2012

  • Taking charge of one's actions.


         Late last night, I watched the replay of the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines already on its 11th day. While listening to the testimonies of the witnesses, the queries and cross-examinations done by both counsels for the prosecution and defense, the questions for clarification asked by the Senator-Judges, and the rulings handed down by the Senate President (the presiding officer), I asked myself, "Why must this happen to any government official? To anyone who holds a great mandate or trust, for that matter?"

         As a citizen, I am very much concerned with the outcome of this trial which could run for days or months, because in the end, it is the people (the general public) who stand to lose.  More to myself I say:  we must really  take charge of our actions. We must always be on guard. We ought to hold on to age-old ideals and virtues such as honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness.

         Should a person does that, he will be able to hold his head high and let others see him .....

    STANDING TALL!

    Worry not of others -
    not of what they'll say;
    Let your bright ideas
    see the light of day. 

    Speak! Rise up!
    Let your voice be heard;
    Time to break your silence -
    to free your thoughts, indeed.

    Walk a little farther,
    walk to center stage;
    Leave behind your doubts,
    come out of your cage.

    Hold on to your rights,
    learn to respect another's;
    Find time to reflect on things,
    hear the views of others.

    And if you see the merits
    or wisdom of what they say,
    be quick to admit a mistake -
    say, "Sorry," if need be.

    By this you'll show the world
    the meekness of your heart;
    A noble sense of pride is yours -
    it's due you from the start.

    You may be small of stature -
    oft times pushed to the wall;
    But as you keep your dignity,
    they'll see you standing tall!



Tuesday, 31 January 2012

  • Opting for a clutter-free life.


         "Many of us hurry through life going from one place to the next, focused on conquering the next mountain, making the next deal, running the next errand, and believing we will never have enough time to do all the things we need to get done.  Yet, there is all the time in the world if we just realize that we are the creators of this life we choose to live.  That's right.  Life is a series of choices and being free from stress is one of those choices," says David Zerfoss in his wildly popular book Stress Is a Choice10 Rules To Simplify Your Life.

         I could only agree. And if I may add, literally, the clutter in one's life contributes to a stressful existence. Clutter of course can be anything: from the mental, emotional, physical or material aspects of one's existence. So, why not .....

    LIVE A CLUTTER-FREE LIFE!

    Don't let clutter take over your life.
    Free your mind and heart.
    The better for you to move
    and have a truly fresh start.

    What are those boxes doing
    in the far corner of the room?
    Take them out into the open.
    Drive away the gloom.

    Sweep the cobwebs off the ceiling.
    Let the paint show, glowing white;
    While the mirror on the wall
    flashes back a smile so bright.

    Oh the floor, see how polished!
    Free of dust, of dirt, and grime.
    Let the sink drain oil off dishes
    with soap and not with brine.

    The spoons and forks have a nook
    alongside plates and glasses;
    Cups, saucers, and bowls, like books,
    are up on shelves, in proper places.

    Don't forget the dirty linen,
    as clothes are left to dry;
    Shiny rests the pan on the range -
    waiting for the meatloaf to fry.

    Let a scented candle burning -
    wafting sweet aroma in the air.
    Apple? Oranges? Tea rose?
    It really doesn't matter.

    Time to make the bed.
    Time to ease the back.
    Soon you're off to dreamland
    to unload the excess pack. 

    Day to day living is really fun.
    It's neither drudgery nor strife.
    That's true.  You'll find out soon -
    just don't let clutter take over your life!






Norcani

  • Visit Norcani's Xanga Site
    • Name: Nicanor
    • Gender: Male
    • Member Since: 4/23/2008

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About Me

  • A husband and father rolled into one; a pen-enthusiast who likes to connect with others who have the same interest. He and his wife, and their three adorable daughters pray and worship the Almighty Father together as a family.

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Chatboard (13)

  • Norcani
    @TrainTrack - Oh, I see. Anyway, I sort of jumbled my name, hence, came up with Norcani. Thanks for the chat.
    • Posted 2/24/2010 8:45 PM
    • by Norcani
  • TrainTrack
    @Norcani - cuz Norcani spelled backwards is In Acron
  • Norcani
    @TrainTrack - I am at the other side of the globe - the Philippines.
    • Posted 2/24/2010 8:40 PM
    • by Norcani
  • TrainTrack
    Are you In Acron?
  • Chatamanda
    @Norcani - Hello again, here I am back and have enjoyed quite some time here this afternoon browsing through your blogs. I will most certainly be back for more ! Best Wishes - Chatamanda
  • Norcani
    @Chatamanda - You are most welcome to visit my site and read my entries anytime. Actually, lots of readers come and we enjoy exchanging comments. Sharing your thoughts would be of much help to me especially so as I am not a native speaker of English. Thanks for coming over.
    • Posted 2/17/2010 1:55 AM
    • by Norcani
  • Chatamanda
    Hello Norcani, we haven't crossed paths before, I'm new to blogging and just arrived here this past week. Just browsing around and saw your name/avatar on another blog. Thought I'd pop over and see what you have here. Some very interesting recent writings and love your poems. I've 'trial' subscribe
  • vexations
    Thank you for your expression of sympathy on the death of my Mother.
  • av112112112
    Part Time Work. Full Time Income. Age Is No Barrier. If you're sick you get paid, if it's a holiday you get paid, if it's raining you get paid! We've got a really, really nice full time income, working just part time from home. WELCOME TO JOIN GDI : http://freedom.ws/a0956110155 I a
  • Norcani
    @jassmine - I hope so too. And I just wish she'll come back soon to share her good write. Always insightful as they are inspiring.
    • Posted 7/21/2009 11:12 PM
    • by Norcani