LETTER TO FRIENDS AND READERS

Dear Friends and Readers,

I want to share with you these poems, prayers, song, quotations and journal that I composed and written in the span of 25 years.

Hope you enjoy reading them.

Blessings and peace in God.

Esperanza

LIFE IN A CIRCLE

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Life in a circle…

revolving, twirling

old and new

being and becoming

dying and birthing

called to be one…

One with the Divine.

FRENTE A MI CASA

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Cada vez que yo despertaba,

Detrás de las ventanas de mi cuarto

Mis ojos se iban a la maravillosa vista

En dirección a la cordillera del Tunari.   

Me imagino que Dios me invita a ir dentro de su corazón.

Cochabamba, Bolivia, mí querido país

Empecé a hablar con buenos días y como estas?

Hasta llegar a las estructuras mas complejas de la gramática

Además, disfruté las otras actividades

como la hora social, el baile y las conferencias.

La vida que ustedes y yo enfrentaremos

Creo que esta en los tiempos de la gramática también

Estamos aprendiendo, estábamos hablando, y habremos mejorado

No solamente en español, sino en otros aspectos de nuestra vida.

La gracia que Dios me dio de vivir aquí por cinco meses

era suficiente para aguantar los desafíos de este programa

Y sobre todo, tenía que buscarlo y encontrarlo

En el silencio de mis oraciones y en los anhelos de mi corazón.

Para mi las imagines de las montañas frente a mi casa

Me muestran de vez en cuando que yo estuve en el cerro de mi vida real

De que la altura es la profundidad del amor de Jesús.

De que Dios se me dio a través de ustedes, de mis compañeros,

de los profesores, de los empleados y de la administración.

A los chicos que yo he acompañado en Villa Pagador

Me dieron la claridad de mi vocación, la clase de tesoro que no puedo

Cambiar ni por el mayor tesoro del mundo.

La experiencia es muy profunda y sagrada para mi misma.

Mi alma quiere quedarse aquí en sud América.

Pero en la realidad no se puede.

Me voy pero llevaré conmigo el recuerdo del Instituto

Lo aprendido y las otras cosas el exceso de mi equipaje

porque yo compré mucho en la cancha en la sección de ropa usada.

No es fácil dejarlos ni salir de Cochabamba

Especialmente a mi familia boliviana, que me dio un buen trato

Mi trabajo voluntario en Villa Pagador y a la familia Maryknoll.

Después de este curso, me voy a Argentina

Y después, comenzare mi misión en Panamá.

Espero, que tengan un buen tiempo hasta llegar a sus destinos

Finalmente voy a decirles CHAU. . . HASTA LA VISTA

Y en cuanto nos encontremos, 
BUENOS DIAS, COMO ESTAN?

LIFE LIVED IN LOVE

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL.

Life fires with aglow

as the morning rises with the sun

covering the earth with its light

giving its warm embrace

and a welcoming love.

Life journeys is a life lived in love

for you and for me

it's a joy that pervades the day

a moment to hold on

and a time to behold for all eternity.

FONDEST MEMORIES

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Fondest thoughts

fondest love

fondest presence

in the Holy Eucharist.

Fondest gifts

fondest present

of Christ's presence

in the altar

of body and blood

in the adoration chapel

.... the blessed sacrament.

Jesus present

and Jesus' presence

allowing me experience his love.

O gentle and dear Jesus

I feel peace and love

flowing from you

flowing from your heart

renew and create in me

a deepest longing for you

always and forever

till my final resting place

find you in my heart. Amen.

HIS PRESENCE FOREVER

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Sometimes I plan where will I be

and ask where I've been

for the past decades of my life....

Now I wonder and ponder at the gift of the present and His presence

- the suprises in life

- the gifts that I've received

- the listening hearts of friends

and gift of friendship with Jesus
is enough to thank Him for 
every moment of this precious life.  

HALINA'T MAG-ALAY

Halina't tignan natin

ang sariling kakayahan

ginawa ka sa pag-ibig ng Diyos

pagmamahal sa puso'y

isiwalat ng walang humpay

halina kapatid, humawak ka

tayo'y tumugon sa tawag ng Diyos

baguhin ang buhay

ialay ang sarili

//. Di mo ba nababatid

si Kristo'y nag-alay ng buhay

para sa ting kaligtasan .//

Halina't salubungin ang isang bukas

na may alay ng pag-asang

kaligtasa´y hatid

sa bawat umiibig.

Coda. Mahal ka ng Diyos noon pa man

hanggang ngayon at bukas. Mahal ka ng Diyos.

1st song composition, notes kept in RVM Juniorate

PENTECOST DAY

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

rain gently falling on the barren soil

quenching the thirst of a long year

giving birth to a seed buried on the ground

it's growth... a miracle from heaven.

wind gently come through nostrils

filling up empty spaces

touches grasses, swaying leaves

dancing at its soft music.

fire from the sky

spread out and touch

people of different nations

speaking in different languages

of the great things the Lord has done.

mazed and confused the miracle of

Pentecost it was

the Holy Spirit makes its indwelling

in the hearts of men and women

a life for the church

peace, joy and love its pure gift.

Holy Spirit come,

fill us with your life

fill us with your power

fill us with your strength

make your indwelling in us.

WONDERFUL YOU

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

You have accepted me as I am

you have loved me without reserve

you have given meaning my existence in this world

you never condemned nor mistrust me

you always renew your friendship with me

you are my wonderful friend

you are the best of my friends

I would have been your worst friend

yet I'm still the best before you.

Never will I forget thee, my mother... a journal

I feel so tired and I dream only of a REST that would be my source of

strength in God.

Francie

I was called Francie at home but it was not carried neither in school, church nor by my peers.

I satisfied myself using the name because I feel at home with this and feel so endeared. I still long to be called in this manner.

F or P - friendly and playful as a child

R - recalling happy days all over again

A - and wishing upon the star and moon

N - never to be sad and troubled

C - child within, wake up and see!

I - in this world of ours

E - everyone is a child within

In my night prayer and silent adoration, t´was only then that I realized the love of my mother for me, I was never spanked by her, but really a beloved child and I thank God for the silent witness of my mother, her love, her affection and concern were much felt and concrete. How can a mother forget the child of her own? How can a child forget the womb that bore her?

Never will I forget thee, my mother.

(My mother Isabel Valmeo Principio died on February 26, 1999)

KAPATID KO, KAPATID KAY KRISTO, KASAMA NATIN

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Kapatid, halika 'yong yakapin

simula ng bagong pag-asa

mayroong ningning bawat mata

sa paglundo ng isang umaga.

Di ka titigil sa patak ng ulan

agos ng dumadagundong na problema

sa tilamsik at dagok ng 'yong isipan

pamayanin ang mga biyaya N'ya.

Kapatid, ikaw'y tunay na minahal

inaruga't pinagpala ng Maykapal

itinuring at inangkin Niyang anak

'yong lasapin pupog ng kanyang halik.

Di sayangin ang bawat sandali

siya ay nasa iyong puso.

Nagpahiwatig ng sarili

kapatid, kasama mo si Kristo.

A SONATA OF LOVE

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

As I look up the sky,

gaze around the wide universe

and embrace the sea of thoughts

God said, I'm there....

Further I walk on

the vast horizons and depths of this world

reaching out to the creator

he said, I'm here....

I stop, look and listen

touch the grandeur

of God's love in my heart

and He said, ´alas´ you've found me.

YOU ARE GOD'S MYSTERY

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

look at the face of God

and see His goodness

that is reflected upon you

His mercy is in your eyes

and His forgiveness in your heart.

Feel the presence of God

stirring deep within

loving you passionately

till the end of time

search for God in the depths

of your being

nature's beauty is his creation 

unfolding life's mystery and His wonder   

quest the life He has given you

it's an unending story

every moment reveals the person that you are

you are a mystery

a prototype of God's wonder-nature

his goodness you'll see

in the beautiful picture of yourself.

(my father, Melanio de Guzman Principio died on October 3, 2003)

HELLO, IT'S ME

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

I'm calling you now

perhaps

it will be the same

promises and compromises

I'm calling you

listen to me

do you hear me well?

Hello, it's me

waiting for you

time is passing by

and I hear no response

It's me calling you again

ah, I hear your words

I'm here, hello it's me.

TAKIPSILIM SA DALAMPASIGAN

Kadiliman ay unti-unting lumukob

sa pisngi ng m'la bughaw na langit

at ang alon ay nagsimulang sumaliw

sa duyan ng mapaglarong hangin...

.... mamaya-mam'ya'y rumaragasa

langkay ng batang saya'y di maikubli

at nagpasimulang magtampisaw

maglaro't maghabulan sa buhanginan.

kasabay ng indak ng mga alon

ay bangkang pumalaot sa karagatan

mangingisdang puno ng pag-asa

yaman ng dagat, dala'y kal'walhatian...

... unti-unting nilamon ng kadiliman

pisngi ng langit, naglaho sa paningin

hapyo ng hangin, naglagos sa kalamnan

nagbadya sa pagtatapos ng isang yugto.

THE SILENCE OF GOD

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL
Let our minds be silenced  

With the thoughts of God

To know His will and be our own.

Let our hearts be silenced

With the mystery of God at work

To crush and pin it

So new blood could flow to bring endurance and love.

Let our mouths be silenced

God’s words purify our lips

To speak his goodness and praise

That will bring glory to His name.

Let our bodies be silenced

With the peace of God

To bring fullness of life

Lively faces and smiles.

TRUE FRIEND

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Where there are joys

And broken hearts

Where there are laughters

And hostilities

True friends stand by your side

To let you be

And love the way you are.

But…

Very seldom in this world

True friends can be found

At the dawning of the day

Friendships and formed

At the end of the night

Friendships last.

Jesus is the only true friend

Who you are

And who you will be

He loves you and me

At all times

… and for all seasons

He is a true friend.

PRAYER OF A LONGING

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

I wish I could die so I could be united with you forever

How I desire that the time will come to me early,

So that I could see you face to face

Whom I desire to meet since before…

Lord God, my father, you who directed my life

You who saved me and rescued me from illnesses and evil ways

Make me more and ever entrusting to your loving protection

May I not falter in my faith

May I always rise from the falls and failures I make

May I always put my eyes to the ways of Christ

and make my life be vulnerable to others.

Time is passings away

I myself will pass away

I pray not to pay attention to passing splendor of this world

But instead, gain riches for Christ

So when the end time will come

I could bring to Jesus only, the riches that will make his kingdom rich.

All these I ask in the name of Jesus Christ

Through the intercession of Mary. Amen.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER ON MY 25TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

O God, you are my God, whom I seek

For you my flesh pines

And my soul thirsts

Like the earth, parched, lifeless

And without water.

Thus, I will bless you while I live

Lifting up my hands in praise

For you have quenched my thirst

And filled up my hungry heart.

You have blessed me with gifts

And wrapped me in a mantle of your love

Keeping me safe and protected

You have guarded me over all my enemies

And kept me from evil doings.

O Lord Jesus in the emptiness of my being

You’ve made me so rich

For you’re in my heart

My greatest treasure.

Thank you for the celebration of life

And of my new life in your company

For my parents, brother and sisters

For the gift of persons who have brought me

To the service of the Father

For them who have helped me grow

To see the beauty and meaning of my life

Lived in faith, hope and love.

I will remember your wondrous deeds

Upon my rising

And through the night watches

I will meditate on you.

That you’re my help, my constant friend

Who never fails to understand my weaknesses

Who brings comfort, peace, joy and love.

O my Jesus be the companion of life

And my partner, forever. Amen.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER AT THE END OF DESERT EXPERIENCE

Eighteen days of prayer are now over, Lord.                              

Still we desire to stay with this experience

As Peter, James and John were in Mt. Tabor .

But very soon we will face the real deserts of life                    

And we can’t do anything

And so we express to you our joy and gratitude for

. . . we were alone in the desert and you stayed with us to be secured

. . . we felt the glaring sun and our hearts were penetrated with your love

. . . we felt hungry and you fed us with the beauty of our life with others

in the community

and the wonders of creation

- the view of the Taal lake in FMM convent

- the mountains, hills, valleys and cliffs

- plantations and farms in the neighborhood

- the garden of the Holy Spirit sisters

- and the forest of the SVD Fathers

. . . we felt thirsty and you quenched it with consolations flowing from the

living water

O Lord, our God, how great you are!

We bless your name

And we proclaim your wondrous deeds

We remember too with gratefulness those trying moments in our life

Where our faith was tested for greater endurance

And where we find how you have carried us through the months and years of our religious life.

We have experienced your disciplines for one whom you love much.

As we continually hope for the rising of the sun

For the rain to fall on barren lands

And for the bridge to walk on in our effort to reach out there….

We give to you all praises and thanksgiving

Especially for this desert experience

Where the love of Christ is revealed

In the stillness of our hearts

And we pray that this love

Will be overflowing as we go back to our own communities

And to be ready to experience one again

The barren desert with Jesus

With Mary and Mother Ignacia. Amen.

THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Many people find life miserable

Some even try to commit suicide

Others break down

They find life merely a passage of time

Not even colored black nor gray

It’s because they don’t hope against hope.

Yes there’s always a sun that shines

at the end of the sky.

There’s always rain that‘ll fall on the barren land.

There’s always be a singing of birds

for they have songs to sing.

There’s always be a grain of wheat

That’ll live for others may die.

There’s always a pot of gold

in every struggle of man.

There’s always a bridge to walk on

In our effort to reach out there.

There’s always comfort to our troubled heart

….. yes, there’s always hope.

WHERE ARE YOU GOD?

POEMS ARE SONGS OF THE HEART AND SOUL

Some people say you’re in the mountains

One would insist you’re in the flowing waters

Still others say you’re in the birds and in the animals.

Where can I find you, Lord?

If I look up to the skies, you’re there

If I mingle with people, you’re in the midst of them

In my silence I’d find that you’re speaking to me.

Lord God, how great you are

In revealing yourself in the silence of my prayers

In the silence that sometimes causes

A thousand noise in my soul

For I can hear you speaking to me

I can see you a good and loving Father

And I discover my littleness.

How great you are, O Lord

Saints can only perform bilocation

through your own power

But you can make yourself present everywhere....

in the noisy streets of the city

in the busy marketplaces and disco houses

in the roaring of the seai

in the rushing of water

in the laughter and cries of babes

in the pains of infirmed

in the intricacies of life

in the misfortunes and trials of life

in the person of beggars needing our help

in the many faces of innocent people

victims of war, injustices and persecutions.

Where else will I seek for you my God?

You seemed to be too far and yet so near

I seemed not too be close to you, but I carry you

for you’re in my heart

It seemed I could not touch you

but you’re in my hands.

Lord my God in the richness of your love.

You made me rich and fruitful

For I carry you in my heart.

You’re in me a great treasure

The treasure hidden in myself

A richness that can’t contain in oneself

in its fruitfulness – overflows and bears much fruit

For one is capable of giving and sharing

Contented with the abundance that comes from Jesus only.