I Am Issa

In you I remember the beauty of country life, Hills and mountains, green grass – the island born of fire, Tall trees, crystal waters singing through the rocks, Nature simply sings through every beat of your heart. When I talk with other men, I always think of you – Your words are keener than their

I don’t stand a chance against a knight, a bishop or a rook, I’m only a pawn. Pitilessly offered as a bait, mercilessly slaughtered, I’m merely a pawn. I  will never be able to conquer the king alone, I’m just a pawn. If left all by myself in a war, without my pawnmates,  I’m a

Intro: C9—- C Em C Em Ikaw ba’y nalulungkot, ikaw ba’y nag-iisa? F G F G Walang kaibigan, walang kasama C Em C Em Ikaw ba’y nalilito, pag-iisip mo’y nagugulo? F G F G Sa buhay ng tao, sa takbo ng buhay mo? C Em C Em Ikaw ba’y isang mayaman, o ika’y isang mahirap

Maswerteng di nasalanta ang pataniman ni ama, Mapalad na di naubusan ng mamimili si ina, May awa ang langit na muling nakapagpadala, Pambayad sa ikalawang semestrong matrikula. Ika ng anak, “ang makatapos ay aking karapatan, Aking mga magulang, marapat lang akong tustusan, Yaman nila’y para sa aking kinabukasan, Dugo’t pawis nila’y ibuhos, sa’kin lang ilaan.”

If I had a grandma like hers, who constantly and faithfully advised: “Never cry, never complain, To God you may, but not to humans.” Those who like you will only be sad, Those who hate you will be glad, Those who matter to you will be depressed, Those who don’t care would only disappoint. Is

If you are to rise, learn to descend, Life doesn’t always bring mountains to ascend. Decaf, Americano, large - the boss commanded. Without batting an eyelid, I complied. I pressed the lift down the coffee shop, Never letting self-pity gets a grip. Whispering: “Servitude is an act of love, Self-talking: “Better yet, it’s paid.” At the

If I were a word, I don’t wanna have a synonym, Substitutable by any words that seem to look the same, Delenda, growlery, haecceity, surely are irreplaceable, I want to be just like them, words rarely fungible. Love tricks us to believe it’s sticky, constant and for long, But like friendships, they either go on