Comments on: Ode to the Heart Smaller than a Pencil Eraser

By: Jesus Z. Menoy

Jesus Z. Menoy — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:10:22 +0000

I have been searching for poems to be incorporated in the Philippine high school book (21st-century Literature from the Philippines and the World) I am working on. I found this well-crafted poem by an outstanding Filipino poet praiseworthy. With your permission, can I include it among the reading selections in the said book? I look forward to your favorable reply.

By: Luisa A. Igloria

Luisa A. Igloria — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 03:01:03 +0000

In reply to Dale Favier. You're a sweetie but you knew that. :)

By: Luisa A. Igloria

Luisa A. Igloria — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 03:00:29 +0000

In reply to cristina p. hidalgo. Hi Jing - so nice of you to drop by here! Hope you visit often. xo to you

By: cristina p. hidalgo

cristina p. hidalgo — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:16:42 +0000

Lovely, Luisa! How have you been?

By: Albert B. Casuga

Albert B. Casuga — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:37:07 +0000

In reply to Albert B. Casuga.

Reposted in:
http://ambitsgambit.blogspot.com/2011/07/angst.html

By: Albert B. Casuga

Albert B. Casuga — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:07:12 +0000

I’ve lived mostly alone in the bricked-up house of my heart,/but a wind teeters at the door, smelling of skin and apple breath.

ANGST

There are hearts. And there are hearts.
But that bird with one smaller than
a pencil eraser has worked frenziedly
to whirr and flutter over eager flowers

and tender leaves more than my wary
heart has tried to run out and break
free from its bricked-up gaoler, afraid
that one day I would lose that teetering

shadow at the door, pine for that scent
I run to on evenings like this, to a deep
smell of skin, and to taste his apple breath.
O for an urgent whisper on a whiff of wind!

Would the murmur of wings still be there,
to keep my heart gentle and unshuttered?

—Albert B. Casuga
07-08-11

By: Dale Favier

Dale Favier — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:28:20 +0000

Oh my God. How can a poem be this good? Delighted and incredulous, shaking my head.

By: Risa Denenberg

Risa Denenberg — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:48:59 +0000

I love this Luisa. I wrote a hummer poem the other day myself. Must be in the air–tiny hearts and wings.

By: Luisa A. Igloria

Luisa A. Igloria — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:19:45 +0000

In reply to Lisa Vihos. Mil gracias, Lisa. As you can see, I too have been inspired.

By: Lisa Vihos

Lisa Vihos — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:42:13 +0000

Wow, that hummingbird poem by Luisa Igloria is incredible. That is the kind of poem that makes my heart ache and makes me want to say something to match that poet’s vision. I think we refer to it in human language as “inspiring.” In the language of hummingbirds, it is something else entirely, and very lovely…like a “hot heart that kisses at least a thousand flowers a day,” and not unlike the smell of “skin and apple breath.” Belissima! Thank you for sharing it, Dave.