
My latest poem, Snapshot, has reached more than 8 million netizens and still counting as of March 10.
Figure doesn’t include the other sites and walls of more than 3000 netizens who shared the poem.
The latest poem set a new record unknown in poetry sharing on the internet.
My last two super viral poems – Grief Without Words and Infant in my Mind – reached only a little over 6 million netizens.
Let the netizens comment on my latest poem:
Jaime Fabregas: “Beautiful poem!”:
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab: “I love this poem! Very touching ang words. Ganda ng photo!”
Judith Angeles: “Heartwarming poem!! VP Leni truly inspires the youth.”
Nelia Mitra: “Poem really tugs at the heart. So touching!”
Ros Torregoza Tito: “The smile of the boy is contagious after meeting the lady of the hour!”
Maria Leny Felix: “So touching photo and a fitting poem!”
Jane Padua Carmona: “What an inspiring photo and a lovely poem!”
Patricia Ordoñez-Reintar: “Couldn’t help crying seeing seeing the beautiful photo and the moving poem.”
Belinda Olivares-Cunanan: “Look at that happy face of the boy as Leni reaches out to him! Your poem hit the nail on the head.”
Carol Bautista Adviento: “Beautiful! Poem has vision and a good instinct.”
θρίρα Μάια Κλαρίσα Κασσάνδρα: “That little boy is the Philippines right now, looking into the eyes and placing their trust in a true servant leader.”
Jerry R. Yapo: “Compelling!”
Flory Mendoza: “Beautiful shot, beautiful poem!”
Franco Belo: “Such a tear-jerker (of a poem). Beautifully written.”
Gloria Borromeo Despuig: Why does this poem bring tears to my eyes? ”
Vicky Marie P. Espiritu: “Wonderful poem! Lump on my throat! ”
Riki Occiano: “I’m putting the poem to the pic and will save for personal use to remind me of the feelings that this pic and poem elicited from me today.”
Athena Gorospe: “Such a beautiful poem!”
Miguelito Herrera: “Teary eyed while reading this poem.”
Gemma Camu Rodriguez:”Nakakaiyak naman. So sublime.”
* * *
SNAPSHOT
What’s in this picture
Of a happy boy reaching out
To the hand of a woman
With familiar face?
He probably knew her
From newspaper photos
Or more from TV clips
Addressing huge crowds.
Suddenly he saw her
Passing by
In person this time
Reaching out to him
With a happy face.
He probably wondered
Why she stopped
Just to greet him.
All at once
Ecstasy
Is touching a hand
Of a human being
Famous, if, compassionate
With a smile of recognition
Warming up the soul
Of a boy
Saying goodbye
To early childhood.
Years from now
He would say to himself
‘I met her once
And she’s warm
And kind
As though she knew me
From way back.’
Or could it be
That she shook his little hand
With his future in mind?
* * *
