Review by Rolly de los Santos
First off, I think I liked the poem's structure and meter as being
very apt for the theme. The choice of words was perfect.
I was a bit confused about the first and second stanza. Don't worry.
It's more of me understanding the poem and not on how it was written.
I was looking at the symbols in the poem and came out with three very
important ones. The significance of the age, the aswang and the
tikbalang being the major ones.
Night as a symbol was relatively easy compared to these three.
First, the age. Being 35 is significant for me as I think this is
the time a man truly becomes an adult. I have the feeling that one
associates himself (I guess women mature earlier than men. Maybe this
is not politically correct but….)still belonging to the younger
generation during the twenties and early thirties. Thirty-five hits
one on the head that "yeah, I'm an adult." Anyway, in this stanza, I
sense that this is the time when the speaker decides that he will
decide his destiny as he doesn't believe in aswangs who "suck life
dry" anymore. Thus, I take it that the aswang symbolizes everything
that represents childhood. The playfulness, the anxieties over the
unknown, the threats the "older generation" used, superstitious
beliefs….
I can't help notice that the poem takes a rather fatalistic stance at
the second stanza. A very Filipino trait of "bahala na" psyche lying
in wait for what tomorrow brings no matter how good (fulfillments) or
bad (disfigurement) it may be. This fatalistic tone is strengthened
by the third stanza which states that night "promising so little"...
Furthermore, night giving the "tikbalang a chance to earn a
living" confused me, too. If my earlier meaning is correct, how come
it still believes the "tikbalang" in the end? At first, I thought
this didn't make much sense but later on decided that it drives a
certain point that the speaker hasn't really parted with his/her
teenage inhibitions in spite what he wanted to believe. This is
almost saying that we never outgrow being a child.
Of course I may be wrong. I had the chance of scanning through
your "blog" and I noticed that the tikbalang is somewhat a personal
symbol. Hence, there might be soemthing I was missing out on.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading the poem and can relate to what it
was saying. Good work, Rhett.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Notes on poem
the night when I am 35 years old
the night no longer holds the mysteries
of childhood fears, of aswangs
flying over the rooftops waiting
for the opportunity to suck life dry.
the night is just another time
to be an orphan, waiting for the coming
of life's fulfillments, whatever
disfigurement that might be.
the night promises so little
compared to day, but in its
spartan way, the night gives tikbalang
a chance to earn a living.
1. I have been fascinated by the Philippine mythology. I am trying to
incorporate the mythical legends into my poems. I wonder about the lack of Philippine mythology in the Philippine poetry (English versions) that I have read so far. It is as if Philippine mythology never existed. Meanwhile, Sisyphus (and all the other Greek gods) are continuing to roll the boulder in a Pilipinos mind. I see this as a continuation of the process of colonialism. In the projects that I am undertaking, I am rediscovering the Philippine myths and placing them center stage. I hope to expose readers to Philippine mythology; I also want them to rethink what the mythologies can mean with respect to the colonization process.
2. In giving the prompt, I had deliberately chosen a topic which I had not been writing towards. In general, my process is one where the poem is born out of my hands. It is very challenging to be writing about topics that have no relation to the current poetry projects at hand. I had a very difficult time beginning the process because I usually write about what I feel. I never write about what someone tells me. However, to understand the process I believe it is important to be able to create poems that might not necessarily be able to fly but can show the development of the process.
3. Rolly, you hit it on the head when you mentioned about becoming a man at 35 years old. The transposition of the night into one that holds emotions (young person afraid of aswang) into one that simply gives tikbalang an opportunity to get a job and work is my version of the maturation process. Whereas before the mythological creatures cause fear, now, they are seen as individuals who have to get work.
4. At the same time, in the middle of 35 years old, the speaker is an orphan who is looking at his past achievements as disfigurements instead of trophies. A sad tale about a life that is not going in the way he intended. This was probably the more difficult to express or to understand. I don't believe that I was able to show this part more clearly.
5. There is an acknowledgement of the existence of supernatural beings as
working stiffs that are not to be be feared. Why and how is it that the Pilipino supernatural beings became things to be feared? I am interested in the role that Catholicism plays in the Philippine psyche.
I was reading a pinoywriters newsgroup and found someone saying that by
reading a book (Satan's bible or something like that. Presumably a novel), they began dreaming about demons. I have tried to go away from the view point that Satan is an active agent seeking to corrupt people. I want to believe that people are responsible for their actions.
6. The topic was so hard to make a poem out of because of the lack of images that I am normally accustomed to. For example, both images written that occur in the middle of the night end up being myths, not really a concrete example of an image. And in the third stanza, the night is representing the future of life. Again, the lack of an image is at hand.
7. I also had difficulty finding the voice for this poem. It is part of the
lack of cohesion of this poem coming into existence in the middle of my other projects. See the haynaku series in the blogspot site.
the night when I am 35 years old
the night no longer holds the mysteries
of childhood fears, of aswangs
flying over the rooftops waiting
for the opportunity to suck life dry.
the night is just another time
to be an orphan, waiting for the coming
of life's fulfillments, whatever
disfigurement that might be.
the night promises so little
compared to day, but in its
spartan way, the night gives tikbalang
a chance to earn a living.
1. I have been fascinated by the Philippine mythology. I am trying to
incorporate the mythical legends into my poems. I wonder about the lack of Philippine mythology in the Philippine poetry (English versions) that I have read so far. It is as if Philippine mythology never existed. Meanwhile, Sisyphus (and all the other Greek gods) are continuing to roll the boulder in a Pilipinos mind. I see this as a continuation of the process of colonialism. In the projects that I am undertaking, I am rediscovering the Philippine myths and placing them center stage. I hope to expose readers to Philippine mythology; I also want them to rethink what the mythologies can mean with respect to the colonization process.
2. In giving the prompt, I had deliberately chosen a topic which I had not been writing towards. In general, my process is one where the poem is born out of my hands. It is very challenging to be writing about topics that have no relation to the current poetry projects at hand. I had a very difficult time beginning the process because I usually write about what I feel. I never write about what someone tells me. However, to understand the process I believe it is important to be able to create poems that might not necessarily be able to fly but can show the development of the process.
3. Rolly, you hit it on the head when you mentioned about becoming a man at 35 years old. The transposition of the night into one that holds emotions (young person afraid of aswang) into one that simply gives tikbalang an opportunity to get a job and work is my version of the maturation process. Whereas before the mythological creatures cause fear, now, they are seen as individuals who have to get work.
4. At the same time, in the middle of 35 years old, the speaker is an orphan who is looking at his past achievements as disfigurements instead of trophies. A sad tale about a life that is not going in the way he intended. This was probably the more difficult to express or to understand. I don't believe that I was able to show this part more clearly.
5. There is an acknowledgement of the existence of supernatural beings as
working stiffs that are not to be be feared. Why and how is it that the Pilipino supernatural beings became things to be feared? I am interested in the role that Catholicism plays in the Philippine psyche.
I was reading a pinoywriters newsgroup and found someone saying that by
reading a book (Satan's bible or something like that. Presumably a novel), they began dreaming about demons. I have tried to go away from the view point that Satan is an active agent seeking to corrupt people. I want to believe that people are responsible for their actions.
6. The topic was so hard to make a poem out of because of the lack of images that I am normally accustomed to. For example, both images written that occur in the middle of the night end up being myths, not really a concrete example of an image. And in the third stanza, the night is representing the future of life. Again, the lack of an image is at hand.
7. I also had difficulty finding the voice for this poem. It is part of the
lack of cohesion of this poem coming into existence in the middle of my other projects. See the haynaku series in the blogspot site.
Prompt
Walking around yesterday, I was wondering what coud be an interesting topic to write a poem about. What would make visual images a difficult concept to write about.
Then, from my analysis, I realized that the night is challenging because of the absence of light and the absence of color.
Write a poem about the night. It can be about any night in which your life was at a high or a low.
Walking around yesterday, I was wondering what coud be an interesting topic to write a poem about. What would make visual images a difficult concept to write about.
Then, from my analysis, I realized that the night is challenging because of the absence of light and the absence of color.
Write a poem about the night. It can be about any night in which your life was at a high or a low.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Meri Krismas to ME!
Eileen Tabios was gracious enough to make me a featured poet for December 2003. Hihihi. Go visit before December disappears in the mists of January.
Eileen Tabios was gracious enough to make me a featured poet for December 2003. Hihihi. Go visit before December disappears in the mists of January.
Monday, December 15, 2003
The course of creative writing in UP
The list of material to be read for the creative writing course is shown in Manuel Viloria's site.
The list of material to be read for the creative writing course is shown in Manuel Viloria's site.
Friday, December 12, 2003
Sucking the life out of poetry
I have been surfing some literary criticism sites and going to bookstores and trying to read about the writing of poetry. I swear, literary critics want to suck the life out of people who want to write poetry. Do I really want to sit there and agree or disagree with these people? Don't get me wrong, some of them seem fun to read, but then again, when they seem more obscure than Foucault or Chomsky, well shit, I give up.
But hey, here is a site for those aspiring to write poetry:
Modern Poetry: Poetry Magic
Have a great weekend.
I have been surfing some literary criticism sites and going to bookstores and trying to read about the writing of poetry. I swear, literary critics want to suck the life out of people who want to write poetry. Do I really want to sit there and agree or disagree with these people? Don't get me wrong, some of them seem fun to read, but then again, when they seem more obscure than Foucault or Chomsky, well shit, I give up.
But hey, here is a site for those aspiring to write poetry:
Modern Poetry: Poetry Magic
Have a great weekend.
Recruiting
I am a 35 year old Filipino-American who is trying to decolonize through the process of poetry. I am forming a workshop group of about 9 people where poems can be assessed and thoughts addressed.
If you are over the age of 21 or over, are interested, have some interest in reviewing and writing thoughtful discussion about poetry and its mechanics, e-mail me at puwetiks[at]yahoodotcom.
Few simple rules on the workshop:
1. Be critical but nice. There is no space for personal attack.
2. This is a dictatorship. If you are mean and nasty, off you go. There is a line to be crossed and you will know it when you cross it.
3. The goal is for each member to submit a poem every week. After seven days, the other participants will send you their critique. You will then send your assessment of what you wrote that poem for, and your essentials, i.e., what is the one or two things which moves you in your poem.
4. If you don't participate in the discussion, off you go.
5. The groups is not about being the best. So you don't have to try and be the best. You have to be the best poet for yourself however.
6. Oh, you got to be Pilipino/a or Filipino-American. If you are not and want to join the group, why don't you start one? I believe that there are other places out there where non-Pinoys can join.
7. We are all equals in the group and thus we deserve respect from ourselves and each other. If others are working and contributing and you are not, off you go.
Yeah, it's tough. But how else are we supposed to sit on the chair and write?
As for the under 21 years old, sorry but adolescents and teen-agers write way too much poetry about sex and love. Yes, we were all there. But damn, get your groove off some other place.
What I need from you:
1. Your name and e-mail. You don't have to give me your real name. Create a new identity in yahoo.com so that you can use the yahoo groups. This facilitates your writing because then you have a dedicated account for poetry.
2. A statement saying that you are over 21 years old. Yes, you could lie. But then I believe your writing will show through.
3. A little biography about yourself. Maybe 15-20 sentences. If you can't even sit down and write a biography about yourself and why you want to join, maybe you should not join. Yes, it's authoritarian on my part. But come on. Most writers are not even warm with fifteen sentences.
4. What is your goal? Do you want a chapbook or a book of poetry?
Thanks for reading till the end. Good luck in your life.
R
I am a 35 year old Filipino-American who is trying to decolonize through the process of poetry. I am forming a workshop group of about 9 people where poems can be assessed and thoughts addressed.
If you are over the age of 21 or over, are interested, have some interest in reviewing and writing thoughtful discussion about poetry and its mechanics, e-mail me at puwetiks[at]yahoodotcom.
Few simple rules on the workshop:
1. Be critical but nice. There is no space for personal attack.
2. This is a dictatorship. If you are mean and nasty, off you go. There is a line to be crossed and you will know it when you cross it.
3. The goal is for each member to submit a poem every week. After seven days, the other participants will send you their critique. You will then send your assessment of what you wrote that poem for, and your essentials, i.e., what is the one or two things which moves you in your poem.
4. If you don't participate in the discussion, off you go.
5. The groups is not about being the best. So you don't have to try and be the best. You have to be the best poet for yourself however.
6. Oh, you got to be Pilipino/a or Filipino-American. If you are not and want to join the group, why don't you start one? I believe that there are other places out there where non-Pinoys can join.
7. We are all equals in the group and thus we deserve respect from ourselves and each other. If others are working and contributing and you are not, off you go.
Yeah, it's tough. But how else are we supposed to sit on the chair and write?
As for the under 21 years old, sorry but adolescents and teen-agers write way too much poetry about sex and love. Yes, we were all there. But damn, get your groove off some other place.
What I need from you:
1. Your name and e-mail. You don't have to give me your real name. Create a new identity in yahoo.com so that you can use the yahoo groups. This facilitates your writing because then you have a dedicated account for poetry.
2. A statement saying that you are over 21 years old. Yes, you could lie. But then I believe your writing will show through.
3. A little biography about yourself. Maybe 15-20 sentences. If you can't even sit down and write a biography about yourself and why you want to join, maybe you should not join. Yes, it's authoritarian on my part. But come on. Most writers are not even warm with fifteen sentences.
4. What is your goal? Do you want a chapbook or a book of poetry?
Thanks for reading till the end. Good luck in your life.
R
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Notes on tula
Just finished writing a madyong piece of haynaku. I now understand a little the sacrifice which the corpse offered to the gods. The corpse married poetry unconditionally. Thus far, I am having an affair with her without the knowledge of my life photography.
Poetry demands so much in such exacting detail, that sometimes the process is draining. Sometimes? I have to replenish the soul with adobo in order to continue with the day.
I suppose it is no contest. Poetry or the trash in the television. Even with cable, I don't think I can stand the silly and unbelievable stories that people punish themselves. Why anyone would choose to be unhappy is beyond my comprehension.
Just finished writing a madyong piece of haynaku. I now understand a little the sacrifice which the corpse offered to the gods. The corpse married poetry unconditionally. Thus far, I am having an affair with her without the knowledge of my life photography.
Poetry demands so much in such exacting detail, that sometimes the process is draining. Sometimes? I have to replenish the soul with adobo in order to continue with the day.
I suppose it is no contest. Poetry or the trash in the television. Even with cable, I don't think I can stand the silly and unbelievable stories that people punish themselves. Why anyone would choose to be unhappy is beyond my comprehension.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Pwetics
This last week, I have been reading Jose Garcia Villa. His poetry is absolutely beautiful. The epitome of one kind of poetry.
The recollections and tributes in the back of the republished book "Anchored Angel" were also a great look into the life of Villa. Both personal and intense, the memories show a living poet.
My question follows those of others. Why did he eventually stop writing poetry. He states that he did not want to repeat himself. Somehow, I doubt that he would have. At the very least, he could have gone into prose. Maybe another life.
It's too bad because the Pin@y-American community really needs writers.
This last week, I have been reading Jose Garcia Villa. His poetry is absolutely beautiful. The epitome of one kind of poetry.
The recollections and tributes in the back of the republished book "Anchored Angel" were also a great look into the life of Villa. Both personal and intense, the memories show a living poet.
My question follows those of others. Why did he eventually stop writing poetry. He states that he did not want to repeat himself. Somehow, I doubt that he would have. At the very least, he could have gone into prose. Maybe another life.
It's too bad because the Pin@y-American community really needs writers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)