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Saturday, December 6, 2014

Dim

I just had my very first business trip in the Philippines. It was a one-week assignment in Bataan to commission and start-up the equipment we supplied to one of the refineries in the Philippines. My work was finished a day earlier so I asked the approval of my superior if I can have a quick vacation to my hometown. He agreed. But that request is being threatened by the incoming super typhoon.

chandelier
empty bottles were painted, and turned into a creative chandelier
saw this in a local restaurant in the Philippines
Orchestra
(Ruby* Symphony)

the spotlight dims
to the first note of the symphony --
a howling melody.

swirls and twirls of the invisible 
conductor left the audience
in tears.

no one shouts for an encore.

/totomai

*Ruby is the name of the typhoon currently lashing the Philippines
For Poetry Pantry 230

Most of the domestic flights were canceled so I decided to stay in Manila for a couple of days. The expected landfall of the typhoon had been constantly changing so it was difficult to book a flight.  Last year, the Philippines also experienced the strongest typhoon ever recorded, killing thousands. Thus, everyone is more cautious now than before.  And I'd like to believe we are more aware and prepared.

I finally boarded the plane this morning and I am finally home.  The timing of my vacation may be off, but at least I am with my family.  As per the latest information, the typhoon will hit the Visayas regions on Sunday morning.

I hope it won't be as strong as last year's typhoon. Stay safe everyone!

/totomai
2014/12/06


34 comments:

  1. Stay safe, Totomai! That looks like quite a storm heading in.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary, we are still fine here in our island...

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  2. I like your use of metaphor here, Totomai. I really like the bottle chandelier, too--what a cool idea. Stay safe!

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  3. Hearing the news just now it looks as though preparations are better this time. Stay safe Totomai despite the orchestra playing there!

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    1. I guess everyone learned a very hard lesson last year. Thanks Robin... this is the orchestra i can skip always :-)

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  4. stay safe out there... those typhoons have immense power and make us feel small against nature's forces... glad you got home safely

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    1. Thanks Claudia - we are comforting each other here :-)

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  5. Safe travels and hoping this typhoon is not as destructive....I love the idea of the symphony ...a perfect metaphor for the howling wind and lashing rains.

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    1. Thanks Donna. Actually it's my vacation but I better stay at home...

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  6. Take care may you and your loved ones be safe.
    This poem is beautifully wrought on the winds of the storm...

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    1. Thanks Moonie. It's still raining here but not that hard anymore..

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  7. Good for you staying at home with family ~ keep safe~ cool image of chandelier...

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    1. Thanks Hum, I tried to avoid taking photos while eating but i just can't resist the creativity injected to this chandelier...

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  8. You are right, 'no one shouts for an encore'. Thank you for posting this morning and visiting despite your being at home with family. Hope you are all safe.

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    1. Thanks Gabriella - luckily the electricity was not affected so I was able to visit and post :-)

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  9. An encore of a wailing symphony like that is not needed.. hope for you to be safe with your family..

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    1. Thanks Bjorn.Yes, no one would want to hear that howl..

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  10. A good time to be with your family. Be prepared as you can be,keep safe and pray !

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  11. A conductor may face reality not favoring him but it just happens sometimes! Great lines totomai. The typhoon making headlines is not welcomed but one that cannot be helped. Pray everything will be fine!

    Hank

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  12. That is an incredibly powerful metaphor in your poem. I am glad you are with your family and hope you avoid the typhoon and that everyone is well prepared and can stay safe through it.

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    1. Thanks Sherry. All is well and the sky is now blue...

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  13. Amazing poem! No encore please! it would take amther lifetime to untangle and interpret this one. I hope you and yours and everyone is safe.

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    1. Thanks Susan. I really hope that no more typhoon will visit our country.

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  14. I'm so glad you are with your family. May you all be safe. Thank you for this great poem.

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    1. Thanks Myrna. I am their shield as of the moment.

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  15. a nice poem about an epic failure. you did a great job of concisely expressing it!

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any thoughts to distill?

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