The Fates





Here is another challenge given to us for the month of June.
Man, I really can't do well in story telling.. Haha..

So the challenge goes like this...

June Challenge

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For the past 25 years of my life, I've only written two short stories. It's not for lack of imagination though. My head is always bursting with ideas to write about. My failure---if you can call it that---can be more attributed to damage control. And conscience. It always boils down to conscience. You see, I do not like writing for the simple fact that if I begin to write, I will have to kill.

*****

So here's our very first Writing Challenge for the month of June:

WRITE A COMPLETE STORY THAT STARTS WITH THE OPENING PARAGRAPH ABOVE.

1. English is the preferred writing medium.
2. You may not deviate from the opening paragraph. The next paragraph---and the next---is fair game though.
3. It must be a complete story. Meaning, it must have a beginning, a middle and an ending. No vignettes and simple narratives.
4. No limits on number of words to be used. Use as much words you'd want to finish your story.
5. This writing challenge will run for the entire month of June. You may start posting your stories in Symbianize from 12:00AM of June 1 to 11:59PM of June 30, PHL time.

So here's my entry..

The Fates
For the past 25 years of my life, I've only written two short stories. It's not for lack of imagination though. My head is always bursting with ideas to write about. My failure---if you can call it that---can be more attributed to damage control. And conscience. It always boils down to conscience. You see, I do not like writing for the simple fact that if I begin to write, I will have to kill.

When I was born they knew it was me. The one who would create a huge difference on their own perception of life. I am only a child yet they choose to lock me up. I haven’t seen light and I didn’t even know how great it is to be free. I didn’t know who my parents are so I never felt the feeling of being cuddled, loved and protected. It seems they forgot about me or purposely left me here.

It was cold around here, the so-called floor froze me up to my spine.
I’m hearing voices lately, I guess someone was thrown here as well. They were shouting! They were begging to be freed and it seems that there were some of them who’s about to die. The pain just by hearing them makes me suffer as if my insides were being pulled out one by one. They groan day and night and it echoes around here. It seems they won’t stop anytime soon. Then one day, a turn of event happened. There is someone who was placed near me. I can’t clearly see his face for this dusty little cell won’t let me see him but I hear his voice. He was calling out to me. He was trying to communicate with me. I didn’t really understand him but I guess this is what my instinct tells me. I came up with a sound hoping he’d understand it as well but had no luck so I tried to observe his shady silhouette from my cell to gather for clues or perhaps even learn his language.

Days and nights have passed, and then I was able to learn from him. His actions his words, I figured them out from this dark and gloomy little room. He told me that I had two older sisters out there. They’re with my parents! My mom and my dad, but why have they left me here? Why did they lock me up! As we had this conversation, I was being filled with curiosity. Filled with stories I knew nothing about and as I held a piece of land molded by time to have its pointed tip, I tried to create a fantasy. From the voice of my friend who taught me this language I tried to honor him by writing a story. A story where he is free and I gave him everything he desires. Years have passed when another event happened. I was about to finish my long-life work when someone with great light surrounding him visited my friend. I still wasn’t able to see my friends face for this shiny guy in armor was blocking my view. He raised his sword and as I shouted my desire for this man to stop, he sliced my friend. My friend was transformed to dust and the wind blew his remains. I’ll never be able to see him again. I asked this murderer his reason but he never answered back. He just glared at me with his cold eyes and said, “Follow me, I’d bring you home”. He reached me with his hand and as surprised as I may be from all the events that occurred just now, I held his hand and he took me out of the hell I’ve been living for so long.

From the midst of darkness he brought me to a place where there were light. We were on top of a thousand feet mountain where cloud surrounds a temple and as I walked in its hallway the guy who escorted me went missing! I continued to walk and as I reach the middle of the temple there was a man and a woman who approached me claiming to be my parents. I asked them why and they had nothing to say. I asked them about my friend but they have nothing tell. I was filled with anger so again I ran. Trying to escape the pain, I fled the mountain and head for a cave in the middle of the forest trying to hide with all the pain I held so close. I heard voices calling out and figured out it was me they were looking for so I continue to burry myself deep in this forest. As boredom strikes me for days of hiding, I picked up a branch and try to create another fantasy. I wrote about a woman, who fell in love with the man I created before. Five years was the gap of their age but still I created them filled with love and passion for each other. The man was hard working and the woman was fully submitted to her husband. They spent years together living with humbleness and wealth and when I was about to gave them their child, they found me! My parents! They brought with them men with armor and swords who carried me back to the temple.


In the temple I considered myself captive. Without chain and ropes I am a prisoner. There stood a man and a woman (who claims to be my parents) in front of me and there were two ladies standing on both ends. They told me the reason behind my friend and why they summoned me again.


I am one of the “Fates”
They held me in prison to avoid giving life to humans. To avoid the death of many individual. I decide what they would be whether it’s for the good or for the bad. For the past 25 years I was all alone but my story gave birth to human kind. They are now in line at my sister Atropos’ scissors as if they were criminals to be executed. The threads of stories I created. My original master piece would die now because I gave them life.


They were to be killed because the almighty Zeus wants to create a new generation and they gave me this task to become one of the fates. As a lower being but one of the goddesses we must obey our ruler. That’s what they told me. So now, as we debut at my 26th birthday, I must remove my conscience or another master piece of mine would be held captive without the proper ending I wanted for them.


I, Clotho, together with my sisters Lachesis and Atropos would create a new generation of humans. In this very day, we are about to give birth to a society who would praise us. A community that will honor us and need us.


I am one of the fates. This is my duty. I didn’t consider this as a talent but instead, this is a curse. I am the one who created you and I decide what you are now. Remember me, I am Clotho. Curse me for I gave birth to you. Curse me for I have failed to keep you safe. Curse me for I am your creator.

~END~

KM3: TINIG (Perlas ng Silangan)

Halo-halong dugo, halo-halong wika, matang iminulat ng nasisirang bansa. Sadya bang paninindigan nalang natin ang pagiging utak talangka? O pupwede pa nating pagkaisahin ang ating mga puso’t diwa? Sa rurok ng tagumpay ng isa man sa atin, isa-isa rin nating hinihila sila pababa. Hindi ba’t mas kaaya-aya kung ang pag-angat ng isa ay magiging ating inspirasyon? Pag angat na nagsisiwalat ng ating tibay at dedikasyon?

Yan ang mga tanong na sa aki’y madalas bumabagabag. Bakit nga ba? Sadya bang naiinggit tayo sa mga kapwa nating umaangat sa buhay at hindi natin matiis na magsumikap kaya’t nanaisin nalamang natin silang maisadlak muli sa lupa? Ang dami nating reklamo sa mga nangyayari sa ating paligid gaya ng mga demolisyon at korupsyon sa ating gobyerno ngunit naisip na ba nating hindi atin ang lupang tinitirikan ng ating pamamahay kung kaya’t ano mang oras ay maaari din nila itong bawiin? Na kahit kailan, hindi magagawa ng gobyernong solusyonan ang problema ng isang bansa sa loob lamang ng ilang araw ngunit agad parin tayong nagwewelga at gumagawa ng mga petisyon laban sa administrasyon ukol sa mga bagay na hindi naman talaga mareresolba sa isang kisap mata lamang.

Kung ating diringgin ang tinig ng bawat isa, hindi rin tayo magkakasundo. Dahil ang nais ng isa ay maaring hindi rin magustuhan ng isa. Kailangan matutunan nating magparaya para sa nais ng iba. Kailangang matuto tayong makontento sa kung ano mang kaloob na sa ati’y ipinagkatiwala upang magampanan natin ang nararapat nating posisyon, hindi lamang sa ating bansa ngunit maging sa ating mundo. Ang kapwa Pilipino ay iyong makakasalamuha saan mang sulok ng mundo. Kung ang pagkakaisa’y hindi natin mabibigyang katuparan, nawa’y matuto narin lamang tayong magpakumbaba para sa kapakanan ng karamihan o ng ating kapwa.

Ang pagbabago ay sadyang nagsisimula sa ating mga sarili. Mga pamumuna na hindi man lang natin nakita kung isa ba tayo sa mga nagkasala. Kaya’t ang mga dating pamana ay hindi nawawala, sa pagkat sa ating salamin hindi natin maiharap maging ang ating pagmumukha.

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Isang akda para sa paligsahang pinasimulan ni ginoong J.Kulisap

Kisapmata

The sweet scent of last Sunday's Mother's Day give me an inspiration to write a short story. Accompanied with a challenge from PadrePio.

Here is his challenge:

"You're alone in you're room trying to write. But for some reason, you're terrified. For a minimum of 200 words, write about what's scaring you."

Of course I thought about writing something that'd give goosebumps to a reader (if any) but still, something bothers me... So I wrote something that'll give me the fear that the challenge was asking for.. Hope this one would give you the awareness of how short life is.

This is my first story (short) ever made. Thanks.


~Kisapmata~
May 13, 2012

Madaling araw ng Linggo, ako’y ginising ng isang panaginip na sadyang hindi ko maunawaan. Isang panaginip kung saan maraming tao, at ang pangyayari ay naganap sa isang napakaliwanag na lugar. Pagsilip ko sa aking orasan ay alas-dos palang ng madaling araw at kami’y nasa biyahe parin ng aking mga kasama sa opisina dahil ngayon ay ang nakatakda naming “company outing”. Naalimpungatan ang katabi kong si Neilsen dahil sa tila bigla kong pagpumiglas bago ako tuluyang magising. Tinanong niya ako kung anong nangyari kung kaya’t ito’y aking inilahad sa kaniya. Ang hindi maalis sa isip ko nang mga oras na iyon ay ang tila hugis ngipin sa aking palad at habang ito’y aking pinagmamasdan sa aking panaginip ay siya ring naging hudyat ng aking paggising.

“Mukang binangungot ka ha?” Pag-uusisa ni Neilsen.

Hindi ko na sinagot ang tanong niyang yon at inaya ko na lamang siya muling matulog. Nasa Pampanga palang kami at apat na oras pa ang bibilangin upang makarating kami sa Pangasinan na siyang aming destinasyon. Alas-quatro imedya ng ako’y muling magising sa parehong panaginip at doon ay akin ng napatunayan na ang nasa mga kamay ko ay isang ngipin na nalaglag sa aking bibig. Habang inaalala ko ito ay tumunog ang aking cellphone. Ang aking ina ang nasa linya at kami’y kinakamusta niya. Bago matapos ang aming usapan ay binati ko na siya ng Happy Mother’s Day at hindi na ako makatulog muli matapos ang usapan naming yon.

Nang makarating kami sa aming destinasyon ay napansin ng aming lider na ako’y medyo balisa kaya’t inilahad ko sakanya ang aking napanaginipan. Walang anu-ano’y tinigil niya ako sa aking pagsasalita bago ko pa matapos ang aking kuwento at agad niyang sinabi na may mamamatay daw na miyembro ng aming pamilya ang nais ipahiwatig ng pagkakatanggal ng aking ngipin. Tinawanan ko lamang siya at sinabing “ang paliwanag sa mga panaginip ay walang sapat na basehan”, kaya pinilit na naming ituloy ang aming naudlot na kasiyahan.

Alas-diyes na ng gabi, ako’y nasa aking itinakdang silid at hindi makatulog. Iniisip ko parin ang paliwanag na sinabi sa akin kaya heto ako ngayon at hawak ang aking bolpen at kwaderno nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone.

“Umuwi ka na dito! Dalian mo!” malungkot na pasigaw na sambit ng aking ama…

Dali-dali akong umuwi sa aming bahay at sa pagbukas ng aming pintuan ay tumambad sa akin ang isang walang lamang tahanan…


~Wakas~

Time Capsule



I created this one to preserve what I remembered during the early 90's... God Bless!

• Time Capsule •


Isa ako sa mga isinilang noong dekada nobenta

Kasagasagan pa noon ng buhay na malaya't masagana
Panahon kung saan ang mga bata'y nakakapaglaro sa kalsada
Malayo sa kahit ano mang peligro o disgrasya



Taon kung saan ang pamasahe sa dyip ay tatlong piso

Henerasyong malaking bagay pa ang isang dakot na mamiso
Sama-sama pang naglalaro ng patintero
Sa gitna ng daan o kaya nama'y sa bawat kanto



Putik o alikabok sa pagsuong namin sa damuhan

Sari-saring laro: tumbang preso, bangsak o taguan
May mga siga rin noon at hari ng lansangan
Hindi nga lang gaya ngayon kung saan siga na ang karamihan



Sa taong ito, menor de edad na ang magnanakaw

Mga tagatak, tulak ultimo pati mga bugaw
Kahirapan umano ang sakanila'y nagtulak
Katagang "kapit sa patalim" at napakahigpit sa pagkakahawak



Dekadang nakapagtago pa ng lihim ng gobyerno

Kung kailan pati ang politka noon ay tila konserbatibo
Mga garapal ngayon na dati'y asal dalagang Pilipina
Tago kung trumabaho ngunit di maipagkakailang buwaya

Credits to Definitely Filipino for the Image!

Pangarap


Whew, after a few minutes of free writing, I was able to pull something out of my tongue. I entitled this one as “Pangarap” (“Dreams”). Of course we all have our own share of dreams, but still, It’s such a pain when you know you’re near to an end and those dreams remain as they are. Still, keep dreaming!
Pangarap

Ang isang pangarap na mahirap matupad
Perang umiiral sa mundong mapalad
Makipot na landas ang iyong daraanan
Tungo sa dulo na hindi mo alam at walang kasiguruhan

Sa simula ng isang akda, ang aking delubyo
Nangarap ng gising habang may patalim saking sentido
Sa dilim ng paligid pangarap ko nawa’y mabago
Nang di na masaktan sa hirap ng mundo

Ngunit sadyang malupit ang pihit ng tadhana
Pangarap ko’y di nawaksi at ‘di inalintana
Sampal sa mukha kasama ng bawat harana
Hindi makausad kahit sa iilang talata

Tinta sa’king kamay na aking ulam sa umaga
Babasahin at pelikula na aking inuusisa
Upang ang mapurol na likido ay aking mahasa
Bigyang talas at liwanag ang aking madilim na katha

Likas mang tinatapakan, minamaliit, inaalipusta
Pangarap naman nami’y tulay sa ginhawa
Matupad man o hindi ito’y aming pinangangalagaan
Sa malupit na mundo ito ang aming pinanghahawakan


To God be the glory!
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