Literary Issue No. 5
Pebrero 2025
Literary Issue No 5
Kontra Kupido
Panimula
Ano nga ba ang pag-ibig?
Malalim ito para sa marami pero maaaring mababaw sa iba. Mabigat kung minsan, ngunit magaan naman para sa iilan.
Iba-iba tayo ng pagpapakahulugan sa pagmamahal Magkakaiba rin tayo ng pagtanaw at pagtanggap sa konseptong ito.
Pero, bakit nga ba tayo nagmamahal?
Hindi mo lang alam at marahil hindi mo lang napapansin pero araw-araw mong pinipili ang magmahal.
Sapagkat may iba’t ibang uri ng pag-ibig.
Pag-ibig na hindi lamang sa romantikong katuwang matatagpuan. Dahil ang pag-ibig ay malawak. Ang pag-ibig ay nasa lahat ng dako. Ang pag-ibig ay nasa bawat panahon
Sa pagtilaok ng manok sa tuwing sasapit ang umaga. Sa pagsayaw ng mga dahon sa puno at sa paghuni ng mga ibon. Sa tawanan sa tanghali sa harapan ng hapag. Sa dapithapon, habang pinanonood ang paglubog ng araw. Sa gabi kapag bumubulong ang malamig na hangin at sa balat ay dumadampi.
Inihahandog ng Departamento ng Panitikan ng The Communiquè ang Kontra-Kupido. Isang Literary Folio na puno ng mga tula, prosa, at iba’t iba pang sulatin tungkol sa pag-ibig. Muling kiligin at lasapin ang pagmamahal na nararapat sa atin. Buksan ang mga puso at papasukin ang panibagong pagkatuto.
Ikaw, saan mo natagpuan ang pag-ibig?
#TheCommunique
A Table for Two by keng
I met my younger self for coffee today. She showed up ten minutes early, I showed up five minutes late. She was nervous; I was calm
She ordered Choco Chip Frappe and I got a Spanish Latte. She wore a dress. I wore oversized sweatshirt and black pants.
She was scared of the future and was unsure where her footsteps led. I told her she’ll end up exactly where she’s passionate with
She had a box of chocolates, once a sweet reminder of love, being thought of. Now, it was just a memory of what was
She shared about her first love and told me about her heartbreaks no one got her. I sighed, “Life is kinder to us now, ” and I am becoming the person she always hoped I’d be
She asked, “Are you in love?” “Yes.”
We sat there in silence for a while. I smiled and said I’m surrounded with love mostly, I got myself now
She cried because she was scarred and I looked at her felt relief, beyond proud.
I hope to meet her for coffee again soon.
Ginoong Valentine,
Ito ay isang bukas na liham para magbigay komento sa iyong paniniwala Ninanais itanong kung ano ang limitasyon at sino-sino lamang ba ang sakop ng iyong kilusan? Hindi ko sinasabing NPA (No Pag-ibig at All) ako pero mayroon ba itong uri ng relasyon na kinikilala? Hindi rin ako sumusulat para baguhin ang iyong itinakdang ideolohiya, bagkus ay nanghihingi lamang ng pagliliwanag sa kaisipang halos ilang siglo mo nang itinatag sa lipunang ginagalawan Hindi ko rin nilalayon na ipilit ang aking paniniwala sa pamantayan ng iyong pananaw, nais ko lamang linangin ang isang ideya: tuwing araw mo lang ba dapat ipagdiwang ang pagmamahalan?
Ginoo, hindi ko nais na baguhin pa kung ano ang nasimulan mo ngunit sa katunayan, kahit wala ka ay masaya ako Siguro nga ' y walang kasintahan kaya nasusulat ito ngunit sa araw lamang ba na ito ko maaaring maparamdam na may minamahal ako? Na minamahal ako?
Para sa akin, kalabisang maituturing itong takda mong mga pangako. Masiyado mong nabilog ang ulo ng mga tao. Kung minsan tuloy ay may sigalot ang mga magkasintahan sa mismong araw mo. Itinatak mo sa kanilang isip na kailangang-kailangan nilang ipagdiwang itong araw na ito
Anong seksyon ba sa akda mo ang nagsasabing ‘Thou shalt give chocolates, bouquet, and love letter to your loved ones. ’
Ang katha mong ito ay nagpapahiwatig lamang ng materyal mong hangarin
Utak kolonya itong adhikain mo, lason ito sa isipan ng mga tao
Ginoo, husto na. Maraming anyo ang pag-ibig Maraming paraan para umibig Hindi dapat isuko sa limitadong ideya ang pagmamahal ng isang tao.
Hinggil sa aking paniniwala, iginagalang ko ang wika mo pero hindi sapat para sumailalim at maging panatiko nito.
To Mister Valentine ni Delilah
Ginoong Valentine,
Ito ay isang bukas na liham para magbigay komento sa iyong paniniwala. Ninanais itanong kung ano ang limitasyon at sino-sino lamang ba ang sakop ng iyong kilusan? Hindi ko sinasabing NPA (No Pag-ibig at All) ako pero mayroon ba itong uri ng relasyon na kinikilala? Hindi rin ako sumusulat para baguhin ang iyong itinakdang ideolohiya, bagkus ay nanghihingi lamang ng pagliliwanag sa kaisipang halos ilang siglo mo nang itinatag sa lipunang ginagalawan. Hindi ko rin nilalayon na ipilit ang aking paniniwala sa pamantayan ng iyong pananaw, nais ko lamang linangin ang isang ideya: tuwing araw mo lang ba dapat ipagdiwang ang pagmamahalan?
Ginoo, hindi ko nais na baguhin pa kung ano ang nasimulan mo ngunit sa katunayan, kahit wala ka ay masaya ako. Siguro nga ' y walang kasintahan kaya nasusulat ito ngunit sa araw lamang ba na ito ko maaaring maparamdam na may minamahal ako? Na minamahal ako?
Para sa akin, kalabisang maituturing itong takda mong mga pangako. Masiyado mong nabilog ang ulo ng mga tao. Kung minsan tuloy ay may sigalot ang mga magkasintahan sa mismong araw mo. Itinatak mo sa kanilang isip na kailangang-kailangan nilang ipagdiwang itong araw na ito.
Anong seksyon ba sa akda mo ang nagsasabing ‘Thou shalt give chocolates, bouquet, and love letter to your loved ones. ’ Ang katha mong ito ay nagpapahiwatig lamang ng materyal mong hangarin. Utak kolonya itong adhikain mo, lason ito sa isipan ng mga tao.
Ginoo, husto na. Maraming anyo ang pag-ibig. Maraming paraan para umibig Hindi dapat isuko sa limitadong ideya ang pagmamahal ng isang tao
Hinggil sa aking paniniwala, iginagalang ko ang wika mo pero hindi sapat para sumailalim at maging panatiko nito.
Love Can Be Louder in Silence Ni
Hiwari
As the wind blew past us
We stopped and sat on the grass
So as we let the time pass We look at each otherʼ s eyes
You held my hand tightly Gently, afraid that it would break You squeezed it lightly
As you let out a warming smile
With you, silence was like a blanket That hugged me, kept me warm With you, silence was like a drink Getting poured into our cups until it was full
I had only known five languages Categorizing the acts of love that we know And just when I thought thereʼ s only five You showed me something I didnʼt know
There were no dull moments Even when the silence is deafening
There were no moment I regret For each silent gaze you comforted me
Soltera
ni Polaris
Bulong saki'y mabubulok, Pinakatatago kong maiaalok, Pilit pinapasok, Sa isip ko'y isinusuksok.
Kinakalikot ng titig, Tila hindi mapigil, Bibig na matabil, Paghinayang minutawi.
Pagtanging nahinog, Umugong sa panahon, Tinuklaw ng anino, Sa paniniwalang kinahon.
Kahel sa pinintahang, Kalangitang nag-aabang, Bulok sa mga matang, Hindi nakikinabang.
Mga parteng hinati-hati, Kasuluk-sulukang sinisilip, Sa panaginip isinisiping, Pantasya'y mananatili.
Solterang naghihimay, Mag-isang nagbabahay, 'Di mawawalang-kamay, Pistang nag-iisa't sanay.
Appreciation of Solitude by
lana
Curious people ask me
Have you ever had a suitor?
Have you ever been interested in someone?
Well, I prefer to be alone
Having a solitude time, drowning in my thoughts
Facing endless possibilities, along with healing my heart
From bad memories, and life's uncertainties
To have fun and be free
Sometimes I wonder, why didn't I pursue romance?
Looking from a distance, I'm not the only single person on Earth
Even if I do like someone, I don't know?
Is it love or admiration?
Burning red or golden like daylight?
I'm not yet ready to commit, so why should I?
Do I just love the idea of being in love?
Just because of the music, film, or gifts?
Maybe some people like to push certain timelines?
I always remember that relationship is a serious matter
Not just a trial period to test it if it works
Love speaks no words, but actions-- actions speak louder than words...
Romance isn't always the solution
Rather than being in a relationship, unprepared
Ameliorate having a peaceful mind
Appreciate being alone so when the time comes
You will love much better
Patak
ni Tintaly
Minsan akong tinanong, Ano’ng mas kinatatakutan mo Ang masaktan o ang hindi masaktan?
At sa pagitan ng dalawang dilim, Ako'y hindi nakasagot.
Dahil ang pag-ibig ay ulan,
Pumatak sa noo ng sugatang langit,
Gumuho sa braso ng tigang na lupa.
May patak na dumuduyan, May patak na bumabaha,
Ngunit bawat patak ay paalala: Narito ka, umiibig, humihinga.
May mga lumulubog sa alon ng ligaya, At mayroong sumisid sa bangis ng sakit.
Sapagkat sa dulo ng pagdaramdam,
Naghihintay ang kamalayan
Na ang pag-ibig ay hindi lang saya, At ang sakit ay hindi lang dusa.
Kay hirap magmahal nang tahimik, Habang ang puso ’ y gustong sumigaw.
Kay hirap magpigil ng patak, Kapag ang ulan ay matagal nang naiipon. Kaya hayaan mong pumatak ang pag-ibig, Kahit masaktan, kahit malunod.
Dahil sa bawat patak ng ulan,
Doon ko lang alam buhay ako, buo ako, At mahal pa rin kita.
Notes App by Paramour
A letter lingers where none ever beseech
Nestled between pages time dares bleach
Ink, once bold with yearning and haste
Softens to a mere blur, meanings effaced
It's true; silences are where love endures, Not the grasp, but affections subdued
A breath withheld, the countless detours
Love slips through where it shan't intrude
Where reason stands and roses taint
Oaths made yet none dares proclaim
Yet longing stirs beneath restraint,
A fire that burns but stays unnamed
So, let it finally rest this quiet thing, The hefty weight of undone strings
Not in words uttered nor lengthy creeds
But in the unsent where love concedes
A Valentine’s Tale Bolkonsky
“In the depth of his heart he knew he was dying, but not only was he not accustomed to the thought, he simply did not and could not grasp it ”
The Death of Ivan Ilych Leo Tolstoy
I arrived at my father’s estate around afternoon. It was February 14. Valentine’s Day. However, I couldn’t muster the energy to follow the flow of the holiday. The news came that Father suffered his second stroke, and he is not expected to survive another day.
The house was quiet as I entered the front door Entering the living room, I saw my younger brother, staring blankly at nothing while having an expression of shock and pain. He didn’t seem to notice me, and I wasn’t about to intrude upon his silent grief. I left without greeting him, and went through the familiar hallway and the familiar door at the end…Father’s chambers.
There was a shuffle of footsteps, and as I entered, I met the priest who had just finished delivering the final rites, and with a solemn expression, gave the sign of the cross, and left
Father was in the bed, and except for his frenzied eyes, couldn’t move. Mother was by his side, head bowed low, and silently sobbing. On noticing me, she forced a smile and bid me to come closer and talk to Father. She then stood up and left the room.
There was a long, piercing silence. Father couldn’t speak, and I didn’t know what to say There was only one prominent thought in my mind: What a day to celebrate Valentine’s What is there to love?
“Father,” I finally said without much confidence, “Do you need anything? Look, it’s Valentine’s Day! A day to love, you know. An optimistic time…” I said whatever came to me, always returning to Valentine’s, as if that were the only way for me to forget the fact that my Father is at his final moments. It was a one-sided rambling, and Father could only look at me, blank, expressionless, and yet, pained and anguished
I didn’t dare to display love or anything of the sort, for it felt like I was only pitying him, and I wouldn’t want to make him suffer by making him feel inferior in the state he was in And this would be our final conversation!
I notice Father’s eyes begin to shift to one side as if trying to instruct me on something. Interpreting what he meant by this, I rolled his body to his left, facing the window. His right arm, stiff like a steel bar, refused to follow his body and remained outstretched behind his back, unable to move.
Outside the window was an imposing cypress, sticking out of the ground like a huge strand of hair As it was midday, the shadows were not as dominating, but its sheer size commanded the highest respect. This was planted by my father when I was a child. He’d seen these trees from some Van Gogh reproduction, and had a feeling of infinite affinity for the tormented artist.
Around the cypress, among the grassy lawn, were multiple dandelions that upon a sudden draft of wind upon the scene, blew its many petals into the vanishing sky; tiny forms on a destination to nowhere
I looked back at Father, as I looked at what he was looking at. His eyes seem to shine like the sun itself. It seemed like he was about to jump out of the bed and frolic among the fields before resting by the cypress. It was the look of reminiscence, to times long past, the current road, and what lay ahead nothing is nonexistent, but there are the fields of dandelions waiting to take you away. His expression was one of peace, acceptance, and a religious love for his life, and his end.
Thinking he might be uncomfortable, I began to put him back into a more comfortable position of lying down. As I did, I happened to glance at his face. It was still like stone, and yet, with a strained effort, he was smiling slightly, as if his face told of his pitiful state of unable to do anything anymore, while I, his son, have thousands of fields to walk upon.
Tears streamed down my eyes, and, like a child, left Father in his bed and ran out of the room, never looking back, but ahead towards the winds on which the dandelions fly In the end, the only way I could give Father love was to give him a semblance of love for what lay ahead. That was my Valentine’s Day.
Clowns ni Dana
Colorful and bright, Shining like a light. Humor is top-notch, They are fun to watch. Unserious most of the time, But I love them, That I can't deny.
Healing if I must say, They make us laugh every single day. My friends are like clowns, They move my heart and remove my frown.
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