"A POEM FOR LEI"

Written By: Jose Edgar Delfin Distajo

Grade 12 St. Dominic Savio (AUREOLES)

I was 18, you were 14.

At first glance, I saw you.
I knew you were introverted and keen.
We were not close back then on that day

But it turned out that I hope someday.

Your hair was black, your skin was white
I still didn't know how to approach you right.
Two weeks past and it wasn't that vast,

It did not broke the law, but in my mind, it was fast.

2017 June 28; I presume the date
When I was at the chapel with my brothers,
We were taking pictures.
You glanced at me and I'm excluding that you were staring secretly.

A seminarian named Axl befriended me

And later knowing that he was related to me
I forgot my plans because of his cool personality.
He was extroverted, divert, hilarious and good,
Not knowing you planned to approach me bringing with you some food.

Days have past and some things didn't last

I was taking some tests but my knowledge was not vast.
But still I didn't lose hope and I passedl
"Not the best, but still good." I once said to myself

And I nearly left the real me in the shelf.

Thinking wasn't my thing until you came
Still planning to befriend you without shame.
July 7, 2017: It was a day that my friends and I saw you dance

I was astonished because you have grace.

You weren't trembling when you performed
This was a case that you're a person that cannot easily be torn.
After the dance I did not expect,

You poked me with I "Hi" and smiled

You were cute and cannot be defied
I was amazed that you're friends with my friend,
For you were enigmatic yet gent.
 They say that a smile is a curve that makes every path turn to straight,
I came before you danced and hence, I was late.
This was the day that I it all began
I was so happy and when I arrived at home at our gate, I ran.

I said to myself, "he was kind and benevolent, just like Axl"
He was such an inspiration and his goal is to excel.
Days have past again and I was waiting for your chat
Didn't think clearly and forgot you were an introvert; WHY DID I FORGET THAT?!

August 13, 2017:

The day I wasn't expecting that I'm going to ask you,
It was something about the concert and you,
I'm glad to know that you were part of it.
You planned to have a photograph after the show, and I was so excited to do so.

It was only through online chat that we get to know each other,
But I was so proud and I was not there for you to bother.
Long were the nights where my days revolved around you,
I was counting my footsteps and praying the floor won't fall through

And my mother accused me of losing my mind;

I swore I was fine
But inside I was not right and went to my bed and reclined.
August 16 2017:

I called my friend Romualdo

To give me some small details about you
He said you were an introvert and you were his stress reliever; I was right all along.
He chuckled: "Why did you asked me if you already knew?"

I replied: "I wasn't sure of my judgment, that's why I've asked you."
I went to the place where you study and give the payment to my batch mates for the
homecoming
And hence, I summoned Axl just to greet and told him about something.
He was surprised that I visited him,

We sat on the chapel and he made a grin.

After these happenings, I went to the mall to buy some food for Axl, --he was busy
practicing
Indeed for he was also part of the concert for he was dazzling.
I went back at the stroke of 4
 I saw you with your mother and sat, therefore.
I started the conversation and it was clich
But you started to laugh and I guessed that it made your day.
We were sitting back there outside the lobby with your mother and my relative, Axl;

We made a conversation that I can't forget

I don't if you'll remember that when you fret.
I went home at the stroke of five,
My father summoned me as I arrived.

Don't know how to start and where to dive

I watch the birds fly as they flew swiftly to the sky.
Long were the days before August 20, 2017
Before that, I already considered you as my brother that was keen.

"We are brothers not by blood but by heart" 'tis quoted,

Hence, you were not like my past friends who betrayed me and are stupid.
August 20, 2017: when the concert began
I was looking all over for you as I ran.

Then one bad news that made me fright

You were taken to the hospital before it was night.
It was from Romualdo whom I got the information that is a friend of mine,
He was trustworthy and sublime.

I trembled and mumbled and was distorting when I didn't see you in the concert,
I didn't know back then that you were hurt.
Frightened was I, but in my heart I didnt lose faith
Because a person who doesn't have that kind of virtue is a devil's bait.

I went partying with my batch mates and yours during the homecoming
The night wasn't that good because it was bit bothering.
I slept at the stroke of 3 that was way past midnight
Still thinking of you and hoping that you'll be alright.
Motion after motion there was a tinge savor of liquor in the air, It was bit devastating
because it can be smelled above my hair.

August 21, 2017:

Morning has broken, at the stroke of 6
I was hangover and need to fix.
Wasted yet not broke
Strong was I of every stroke.
I didn't saw your presence because you were still in the hospital
 I was wondering how did you fall.
Appendicitis, Romualdo recalled
I was shocked on what he have told.
I went home at the stroke of 1

The heat was intense when I've arrived in the lawn.

Slept at 3, because my body wasn't stress free
It was so intense and I didn't know it'd be.

August 25 2017:
I wasn't expecting this day
My parents approved to go to Roxas anyway.
I was wearing black and a jacket with a hood

Romualdo teased me because of my socks that were improperly wore on each foot.
I explained: "I was in hurry and it didn't took long."
He replied: "I laughed because you wore it wrong."
I wore my socks correctly on each foot

He was glad and smirking at me for good.

Now when I arrived in your hospital room, you summoned me immediately,
Didn't know where to start for your eyes were so streaky.
You made fun of me and asked me about my crush,
I didn't replied because the game on my phone was in a rush.

We started having fun, that was all

I almost invaded your privacy
Romualdo scolded me,
Saying not make you depressed and must talk privately.

Remember when you hit the brakes too soon?

Twenty stitches in a hospital room
When you started crying, I did too
Because you still can't go out of the hospital and went too soon.

When you heard that you could go out, you were so happy,
The feeling was intense yet it wasn't steady.
I was so happy for you that you could go home,
I hope you'll reminisce these moments when you are alone.

September 18, 19, and 20, 2017:

These were the days of the vocation campaign,
And totally, there was an intense rain.
You sent me a message on my social media,
 I forgot my problems and was smiling like my sister Farah.

On September 19, a feud began,

It was me and Romualdo who started to fire ans fan.
I took his matches before fire could catch me so he doesn't have to look now.
I'm shining like fireworks over your sad and empty town.
He warned me:

"Bol, I tell you, you still don't me when I'm angry!"

I replied:
"Sorry for adding your name on my list, please have pity!"
He added:
"Bol, if you want to gain more friends be faithful and true; that's all I ask of you."
I ended:
"Let it be done! It is for my own good; not for everybody nor for you."

When the feud began, I started to worry,

I don't know who's the victim here, but I still felt sorry.
So this is me, swallowing my pride,
I'm saying sorry a lot for that night.

I sent a like, you didn't reply,

Was wondering if you were told and why?
I used to know my place; a spot next to you
Now I'm searching the room for an empty seat
'Cause lately I don't even know what page you're on.

October 14, 2017:

25 days and we were not communicating
Still confused or what; feud was still maybe happening.
So many things that I wished you knew,
So many walls that I can't break through.

I sent you a message:

"You are so busy, maybe you have forgotten me."
And he replied: "I was chatting my classmates because Levy went missing and messy."
You requested me to find a person who would chat you so that you will not be bored,

So I gave the name Jiewill, maybe you'll be adored.

You said she was fine and kind to be chatted,
You were right all along, but things got seriously busted.
I thought the fire and fuse that I started to ignite was over,

Until one night, one night, Romualdo called me what he'd discover.
I broke the law and was not aware of my actions,
You're mother also scolded me and I was in fractions.
 I was so sorry, and repented what I've done,
I was still wondering, how the fire began.

One day, you chatted me secretly,

I Wasn't aware again that I was talking sarcastically.
Good thing you called me at night,
I advised that you shouldn't do that because somebody will get in fright.

The conversation was once seen

I was so afraid that I wasn't keen.
She wasn't impressed on the chat she saw
She thought I was good until I broke the law.

October 22, 2017:

I saw you in the mall together with your mother, don't know how to start and what words to
utter.
When she met me, I wasn't expecting,
By telling me frankly, she indeed was amazing.
She gave me advise to avoid committing mistakes and that I should be a good role model,
It was your mother; was so polite and wasn't grovel.

October 24, 2017:

It was your birthday, and you're already 15,
Hope you'll not change and still the LEI that is keen.
It was your Intramural Meet when all these things began,
I witnessed how you dance again and I was standing on some fence

I was so amazed that the choreography was in such stance.

7 minutes, not 8, that was the time limit,
Your batch place 2nd and it was legit.
After the performance I gave you a gift,
It was in my bag and you started to lift,

I greeted you: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KOY!" that was all,

You uttered "THANK YOU NOY BLINK! THANK YOU, BOL!"
I was scared to see the ending; why are we pretending that this poem looks like nothing.

I'd tell you, I miss you, but I don't know how

I've never heard silence quite this loud.
Thank you for being a good brother and friend Lei!
I hope you will not leave and you are to stay.

I treated you as my own brother for good,

Even though I still feel that there is a feud.
How'd we end up this way?
See me nervously pulling at my clothes and trying to look busy
 and he's doing his best to avoid me

I hope he shall understand what I'm saying,

I'm not a psychopath nor him I am blaming.
How I was losing my mind when I saw him here,
But he held his pride like he should have held me.

I don't know what to say since the twist of fate when it all broke down;
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now.
Because fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword puzzle and realizing that
there's no right answer,

Don't know what to do and somebody suddenly starts to babble.

Lei, be good and learn everything
Even though we have so many conflicts and misunderstanding.
Thank you once again for being the best brother that I treated,
I hope this brotherhood of ours will not be obsoleted.

---END---