Cool Winter Season

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Cold winter nights, as they say,

A warm fire is needed every now and then.

The season makes the people chill,

Cold winds breeze, not hot, but cold.

Yes, winter makes water ice!

Busy Manila Streets

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Busy Manila

The streets have gone wild, dirty

Cleaned by metro-aide

Busy Manila

Street children walk, run along

The Broken Glass (Haikus)

By Joshua A. Apolonio

A crack, I’ve seen here

Scratched paper just like it was;

Not good anymore.

Shiny and glossy,

And is cleaner than before;

The Blue Ocean

The Blue Ocean

By Joshua A. Apolonio

This deep, blue ocean, ocean deep it is.

Tons of fish in the water, you see this?

So happy to see this deep blue ocean

Smile I have. Damages should not be done.

I see far away is also a sea.

Underneath the deep, the fishes are free;

Flame Trees

By Joshua A. Apolonio

It was a bright, shiny summer when I and Archie were having a walk. It was a busy morning when we have seen the students began to walk during their first day of school. I was so glad when I see our former school nearby with the very rare tree which I have never ever known what it is. It was said that it was the only tree which was able to grow with red beautiful flowers, most especially during summer time. Rising and blooming along the busy Manila streets, the children walk along the paths with the falling red flower heads of the tree. What a different smile it brings which also gives laughter to people because of its wonderful and colorful red bloom flower design.

Absurd Life

By Joshua A. Apolonio

So bad and I think this is strange;

Life is absurd like I’m in a cage.

As I grow and number adds to my age

In my book of life comes another page.

Ridiculous, strange life this is;

I’ve been tired and gloomy, no more bliss.

Through It All

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Yes, you’re a woman, stand up and be proud.

Through it all, full of pride, shout it out loud.

Walk, run, do whatever you want to do

And do all the things, woman, push it through!

You’re not a prisoner, fight for your life

And be a real grown up, a full-time wife.

Cold Summer Day (Petrarchan sonnet)

By Joshua A. Apolonio

I’m so lonely and I need a backup

Alone like in the middle of desert

Middle of nowhere, smile without effort

Sun’s blazing heat kills, I need a teacup.

Be Real

Be Real

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Be real, as you may do whatever you want.

You’ll be happier if you don’t just flaunt.

Be you, as you can do everything

As you may see and feel that you are flying.

Be real, you can express your thoughts, ideas;

Without limits, free from any bias.

Nostalgic Throwback

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Whenever I reminisce my past times,

I wonder how these poems had their own rhymes.

Remembering a long lost idea;

I just felt a pang of nostalgia.

Recall, recollect, remember past life.

Tears just fell, like my heart was on a knife.

Hail Thee

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Hail thee; hail thee, you are, divinely hail!

Holiness you have, you will never fail.

Pray for us. Holy hail, this is our wish!

Knowing that your answer is not sluggish.

Divine grace, your sacredness gives us life.

Godliness I hail; Purity of life!

Our Sudden Hilarity

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Yes, yes, I really laughed around with him.

Even just a while with a sparkling smile;

Laughter and joy, like a musical hymn,

And seemed like a smile, long as River Nile.

Chit-chatting, silent whispers as they say

Million words have been shared for some hours.

His Unreasonable Doubt

By Joshua A. Apolonio

I don’t know why he is like that.

Maybe he believes that all is a fact.

Is that so? How foolish can he be?

He had given a doubt, unreasonable thee.

Honestly, I don’t know what has happened.

Believing that all he sees is true in this land.

I Will, Shall I? (Petrarchan sonnet)

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Maybe this is what I should have and do.

I will. Shall I do what should I deserve?

Yes. I should have a straight without a curve.

I will do the things the things I should do.

Shirley Hamilton (a Petrarchan Sonnet)

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Your heart always makes me love you.

Shirley, love, our life must go on.

You and I on a bed like lawn;

To thee, your love is my virtue.

Selfie with my Boss

By Joshua A. Apolonio

It has been three days since I applied as a full-time clerk here in the administrative division of our Provincial Government. With my new phone, I enjoyed having my selfies and collect it and make it as a collage. After making a collage, I am able to post in my different accounts in the internet, especially Facebook, the number one social networking site as of this generation.

However, I have not yet seen the boss. My own boss! Well, my seatmates here tell that he’s cute and handsome, but his attitude is quite odd. Not normal. According to my new friends, he usually acts hysterical. He nags his employees and throws their things whenever they had failures. I hope I might change him.  I hope a simple smile from a selfie might give him happiness.

Granny’s Teacups

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Little teacups, delicate and fragile;

Granny’s tea’s here. Would you like, for a while?

Even so small, it gives an importance.

Cups like a flower bud, so cute at glance.

Granny’s teacups then poured with lemonade.

So very cute teacups, style will not fade.

His Brother

By Joshua A. Apolonio

The one who helped like a brother to me;

His brother is a cat, oh, so lovely.

Big beautiful boy, a friendly guy that rise;

Thanks to him. He’s an angel in disguise.

His brother, he’d been my inspiration.

Gratitude I give him as a person.

Edel’s Brown Eyes

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Edel, you are a blossom in my eyes.

Look how pretty you are. So good, so nice!

Edel, there up above us are blue skies;

Your charming eyes give me a paradise.

Edel, your brown eyes make me always think.

Your sweet, sophisticated, stylish blink;

Our Maid’s Trouble

By Joshua A. Apolonio

It was summer when our maid, Marilyn, came and applied as a full-time house cleaner. Yes, she was able to perform well. She does everything my mother asks her. At first, she was a bit shy and wary, but she was really able to accomplish good and do her different jobs very well. Aside from cleaning, she was able to cook, too. She cooks different delicious viands, most especially the one of the most popular Filipino cuisine, the Philippine Adobo.

My Happiness for Years, Love

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Many years gone by,

Darling, you are my.

Love, it has been years.

We’re strong. Right? So, cheers!

I love you, my one, all I know is.

Giving too much, or further is bliss.

Possibly, Perchance, Can Be

By Joshua A. Apolonio

No assurance, I can’t trust all I see.

Yes, no. Things might imaginably be.

What I now think is just a random thought,

Perhaps what I think is just a maybe.

Oh, what an idea it had brought.

Maybe a fraud or still a random thought.

My Unfinished Novel

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Still, I write, and here I forego.

A pencil composes, sharing what I know.

Lamenting ideas, and here I’m contented,

I thought I’m finished, but I’ve not yet ended.

I still go write, but can’t fill the court.

I can’t deny, put a little more effort.

Rebecca's Promise

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Rebecca, I believe you’ll come here;

My love, I know that you will adhere.

I will wait for you, Rebecca, my only one.

Like what you've promised, there under the sun.

Rebecca, I know that you’ll be with me.

My darling, you’ll come here with thee.

Accepted Error

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Oops, here is such a big mistake;

How do I now erase what I did make?

Eraser may do but it still leaves mark.

Oh, impossible, like shrubs had a bark.

Seems unbearable, but let’s give it a try.

We have to admit it, oh my, oh my.

My Grandmother's Comb Clip

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Granny’s comb clip is so precious. Mother gave it to me because she said that the comb was given to her by her mother, which is Grandma, which was also given to her by her grandma, and so on. The comb is really special and cannot be lost by anyone else. I’m Tiffany, the youngest daughter of Mrs. Elsa Cruz who has also owned the comb, and who is also the youngest daughter of Grandma Teodora Pilar. Mother said that the comb is always awarded to the youngest. But I don’t think that the comb is suitable for me. I don’t have a long hair like Mother and like Grandma.

As I go to school every day, I pretend that I wear the comb. Mother gives it to me every early in the morning before going to school. Even though my hair is not that long, she still insists me to wear it.

My Friendly Enemy

By Joshua A. Apolonio

A friendly enemy. Yes, that’s what he is.

Fast as the wind, friends in nippy bliss.

Paradise he said, but I can’t feel any.

He is a dungeon where I can be free.

Deeply inside, I really can’t tell.

Am I in heaven, or am I in hell?

The Beautiful Red Caped Lady

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

She is the red rose of all virgins,

The woman a man could choose.

My lady, the mermaid without fins,

You’re gorgeous, not a duck, but a goose.

You make all of the elders young.

Your beauty is one and unique.

A Poet's Confusion

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

This is the time. Yes, surely this is.

But I don’t know what I will express.

Yeah. That’s it! I knew what it is.

My goodness, my idea’s gone on bliss.

I’m confused on what will I write.

What poet now can I be called?

Nanay ni Nena (Nena’s Mother)

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Waking up early in the morning,

Four in the morning or maybe three.

Breakfast for Nena and her sibling,

A sacrificing mother can she be.

Nanay, nanay, here said Nena,

A glance from her, with a smile.

The Lost Ticket

By Joshua A. Apolonio

“Trina! Have you seen our ticket? I can’t find it here. I looked for it since I woke up 4 hours earlier. It’s already 7am and I still can’t find it.”

“No, Sandy. My goodness! Did you lose it? Don’t tell me you lost it!”

“I don’t know. You gave it to me last night at the restaurant, right? I think I put in my pocket together with the fortune cookie. Well, I’m not sure sis. Can you please just help me find it?”

“Well, we both know that tonight’s concert is the biggest concert of the year! And aside from it, that’s too expensive! I can’t miss this.”

Why Do I Hate Mathematics?

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

Most of the time, I ask myself, “Why do I hate Mathematics?” Is it because of its characteristics? Is it because of its confusing formulas and equations? Or is it because I need to memorize all of them just to understand the true meaning of Math? I think those questions will have their same answers and it will be “Yes”! First of all, what do we really mean by Mathematics? My own perception for this field of study is that they are just "combination of numbers" with different operations like those of the plus, minus, divide, and times. But, when I asked my mother regarding this topic, she told me that it is a science of numbers and their operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, and abstractions and of space configurations and their structure, measurement, transformations, and generalizations. Then I said,

Venus, the Second One: In which a goddess became a mistress

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

It was a very long ago, and it was the time a goddess from Mount Olympus had her love come to an end. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, was looking for love, but no one has longer participates her powers, not even Zeus. Venus was so depressed and cried a lot of tears. Even the goddess of beauty, herself, has no longer suitors! Cupid, her son, the god of love and desire, looked at her mother eagerly. Cupid was thinking of any solution that might help Venus and can take away her frustrations.

Cupid went down to planet Earth and has searched for any person that can solve her mother’s problem. But he has searched everywhere. Left, right, up and down, he also

The Suitcase

By Joshua A. Apolonio

Dig, dig, dig a hole,

Because ‘X’ marks the spot.

Here, digging like a mole.

I’ve seen a suitcase like a pot.

There. I’ve seen a suitcase.

I can’t see anything good.

The Spoon of Prosperity

By Joshua A. Apolonio


Is this really the kind of life Filipinos have? I don’t know. Even though our family is poor, we deserve the treasure of education. My mother once told me before she died that we can no longer achieve success because of our current state. I tried to give up in the end. But, I will end up achieving no more in life than they did.

I was in elementary school when my stepmother told me to stop schooling. She told me that school is just a barrier to my life. She asked me instead of schooling is to do house chores and clean up the back yard and also the barn near our barangay together with my father for me to earn my own income. I was about to think if that kind of idea is good or not. Ever since the summer, I have been
working. Suddenly, my stepmother nagged me and has been asking me for money but I didn’t give her even a single penny.

The Boy Who Has Dreamt To Be a Woman

The Boy Who Has Dreamt To Be a Woman

By Joshua A. Apolonio

I am a boy. Yes I am.

But I don’t know who I truly am.

Being a lady or a woman perhaps,

Even in my dreams, I can be what I am.

When I dream about this, I hear silent claps.

Inside my thoughts, I’m beautiful during naps.

Steel and Magnet

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

Man will always be steel,

And some are its magnet.

But when the same gender sticks,

Some steels are easy to get.

Small steel sticks to big magnet;

Small magnet sticks to big steel;

Modern Technology Today

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

As a youth, as a Filipino citizen, I can say that I am a user of modern technology. Maybe it is impossible to believe that nobody uses modern technology today. From the word itself, “modern”, it is relating to, or characteristics of the present or the immediate past, or what we call the contemporary technologies that we use nowadays. The products of our modern technology are a great help for every individual around the globe. Modern technology made everything instant. The wide knowledge of persons who invented such things like these are applied for us to be given an easier life. What come first on our modern technologies are the electronic devices. Thanks to Michael Faraday who

Forbidden Goodbye

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

Several years of my existence;

Laughter or sadness always happens.

Thank you all my loving friends,

And also to you my dear parents.

Cars, vehicles, and motors on the hi-way,

Fast as the wind, I just passed away.

Campus Grounds

By: Joshua A. Apolonio

Seeing the clouds in the sky

Remembering who really am I.

Trees’ roots at the ground

Telling how my voice speaks so loud.

Trash at the clean floor

Saying that I’m a bit slutty whore;

A Poem for Poems

by Joshua A. Apolonio

Life has been a beauty,

I’ve realized what’s all the best.

Even I’m good or naughty,

I will still thank you, Anna Guest.

Whenever I remember Richard Cory,

I realized what I have become.

Love Irony

by Joshua A. Apolonio

Intelligent, kind, loving and hot;

This describes everything you are not.

I see your face when I am dreaming,

That’s why I always wake up screaming.

I love your face, your smile, your eyes;

Oh, I’m so good at telling lies.