The Rhymes of Times

By Margaret Llorico

We spend every passing day yearning for our moment, waiting for our turn. We

cheer on others when they shine their brightest. We pace back and forth as we

anxiously anticipate our breakthrough to arrive, but only to find out that the path

is not straight; there are bumps and diversions that can only be rectified by time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Jun 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361724732

Book preview

Part 1 - The Wait

Temperance

I dived into the sea and unbeknownst to me,

the waters were frigid with visible breath at zero degree.

There I tumbled in its currents, drowning in defeat,

for my life became a blueprint with deadlines to meet.

Where did I go wrong? I asked the rescue team.

All I wanted to do was swim free and live my dreams.

They told me that I failed to do the biggest act of faith.

It is the simple yet painstaking four-letter word called ‘wait’.

Never rush, never panic despite all your valid reasons,

for one day, it will be your turn, it will be your season.

Trust the course of destiny but don’t put your labors aside,

for when it’s time, you will dive straight into the perfect tides.

Stubborn Time

I hold time in my hands but it tends to slip away.

No matter how hard I try, it is bound to escape.

It runs fast in my best moments; it goes on and on.

Why does it move too slow when happiness is gone?

I grip time in my hands, but it runs too forcefully;

having its own thoughts, never listening to me.

I get closer to death with each second that it gives,

but how is that possible when I have not even lived?

I let go of time and it didn’t stop for a little bit,

so, I have no choice but to keep up with it.

I think about my prime every now and then,

knowing it will happen, but I just never know when.

Life

Perhaps life is an abuser who loves nothing but surprises,

and it throws in punches that leave you coping with such vices.

It is a hammock in a rainstorm triggering your fall.

Its microscopic lens mocks you when you already feel small.

Life should be taught of good manners because it doesn’t show respect.

It suddenly makes changes in the moments you least expect.

Life needs therapy since its mood swings are way out of control.

Some days you are too sad that your body wants to detach from your soul.

Perhaps life is a sadist, smiling when I’m depressed.

Life keeps gaslighting saying this is all just a test.

It justifies all its unjustness by saying it is not meant to be,

yet sometimes when things go wayward, it puts the blame on me.

Yet life is something I still hold on to and sometimes I don’t know why.

I guess it gave me another tomorrow so why not give it a try?

Life is an emotional wreck and its dreary days are a low blow,

but even after everything, I refuse to let go.

Perhaps life can be all these things but it still has its great moments;

all the times you smiled and laughed and overcame your opponents.

Life can be an enemy but it can also be your friend.

Life brings trials but each one is bound to end.

Life is full of surprises and not all of them is bad.

Life does give happy moments to compensate the sad.

With all the drama and the pain and the trauma it gives,

I keep going, I keep fighting because I am meant to live.

Home

Did the ceiling cry again? All tears are caught by the dented metal pail. Did the door moan another creaking noise? I flinch again. Did the pipes sing a lullaby and it was out of tune? We are forcing waters but I never want to leave this room.

Because he has his hammer for the scratches and the holes. She sews a quilt from used-up fabrics to protect me when it’s cold. He cooks me dinner and I don’t mind that it’s eggs. She sings me Elvis when his voice ruptured in our disc.

They drain themselves empty so I could be complete. They take their shoes off so my feet can roam free. To live in a broken house but to still feel the meaning of home--this life is worth more than bags of money and all the weights of gold.

I know it’s not my responsibility yet this is my choice: someday I will make it big and