Priceless Art of Yesterday
by Jose B. Cabajar
Old work of art on the wall,
Viewed by countless pilgrims along the hall,
Faded painting of the ancient,
A glimpse of forgotten lives in transient,
Meticulously framed with unfamiliar wood,
Endured the test of ages and still looks good,
Well-blended hues and excellent art elements,
Allure art lovers to whisper solemn compliments,
Overwhelming brush strokes with a style,
Catch the beholder’s eyes with a smile,
A lot of people may not appreciate,
As inapt art that could not satiate,
Priceless art of yesterday,
Eye-opener of today.
Oh simple man! Don’t let your eyes slumber,
The deep sleep of ignorance is a silent devourer,
A closer look at such precious piece of art,
A message of truth gently touched my tender heart,
Seeing those innocent faces,
With flower-like freshness in foggy places,
Longing for brighter days,
Living in hope throughout their ephemeral days,
Exerting much effort to live a decent life,
Coping up with the heavy demands of everyday life,
Pursuing goals which are yet to be achieved,
Slowed down by devious things they did not perceive,
Tried to cry and appeal for their side,
But who had the courage to stand on their side?
The seemingly rich world enticed them with deceitful help,
In the end, exploited like innocent carnival elf.
Poor and wanting people in the past,
Well-painted on a canvass,
Presented aesthetically,
Revealed prudently and ethically,
Being displayed for the populace to see,
Its message so hard for others to see,
Oh, mysterious painter of profound truth,
A messenger of the Living Truth,
Oh, priceless art of yesterday,
In time to come, it will be your glorious payday.
From: 12/8/2011 Philippines
Copyright ©: 2011 Jose B. Cabajar
I Have a Song to Sing
by Jose B. Cabajar
What a blessed moment to have melody in one’s heart,
In the midst of troubled world, it makes him calm,
Sometimes it makes him cry,
And sometimes it makes him smile,
I have a beautiful song to sing,
A song that brightens my cloudy day,
It keeps me going, it keeps me happy,
It’s a song to be sung by someone like me.
What a pleasure to melodiously express one’s soul,
Despite of fears and insecurities, it gives him peace,
Sometimes singing with tearful eyes,
And sometimes with a smiley face,
I have a message-filled song to sing,
A song that makes me brave in stormy days,
It keeps me moving upward without fears,
It’s a song to be sung by someone like me.
How pleasant to listen to enlivening song from a friend,
When times seem unfavorable, it gives confidence,
Sometimes listening with tears of understanding,
And sometimes with a joyful countenance,
I have a wonderful song to sing,
A song that draws me closer to my Saviour,
It keeps me looking upward in hope,
It’s a song to be sung by someone like me.
Blessed is the man who sings an inspiring song of faith,
When darkest night comes, the light of truth shines,
Sometimes singing without words from quivering lips,
And sometimes with joyful sounds,
I have a special song to sing,
God has given me that song in my heart,
It keeps me singing with gladness evermore,
Don’t just listen to the song, sing with me and be blest.
Copyright ©: 2011 Jose B. Cabajar
Exist And Exit
by Jose B. Cabajar
Unaware I came into existence,
Naked yet clothed with innocence,
Bathed with my mother’s blood,
Old folks heard me cry and were so glad.
I came not into this unknown sphere by my own will,
Surely, it is God’s blessed will.
Childhood to adulthood in this muddled world,
My soul is bothered by that sin of old.
Fears of life threaten my hidden dreams,
Dream after dream, full of screams,
Subtly intrudes my subliminal mind,
My will to live is almost gone as sweet wine.
What kind of existence do I have?
Unique life that other creatures don’t have,
With body, soul and spirit,
Unlike a dog that howl along the filthy street,
Higher and nobler form of life,
So short, so precious a life,
A fragile life under threat,
Lives forever after my death,
Friends see me today… my visible presence,
Soon I’ll be gone… my absence.
I brought nothing into this world,
I will carry nothing out of this world,
After my vision becomes a reality,
When my life’s purpose be fulfilled in equity,
Telling the world how to be saved,
Sharing the gifts that my Master gave,
I will exit from this sin-tainted place,
An appointed time to behold my Saviour’s face,
Blood-bought and blood-washed – I’m Christ’s servant,
Exist… exit… the best of eternity comes!
Copyright ©: 2011 Jose B. Cabajar
Unseen Sketches Within Me
by Jose B. Cabajar
Deep Sleep
In a subconscious realm,
Exists within a dream,
Multihued thoughts being sketched,
Excellent lessons being etched,
Hidden sketches in my mind,
Unseen impressions in my heart,
An overwhelming experience,
What a hidden art within!
Half-awake
Half-awake in awe,
Inspiring thoughts I know,
Make my countenance glow,
Trigger my curiosity to grow,
Desiring to walk in the path of reality,
Make me aware of where I am,
Keep me watchful of my steps,
So, I may not be trapped into the snare of illusion.
Fully awake
Fine sketches so beautiful,
Finalize with grace and love so bountiful,
Captured thoughts turn into wisdom,
Unshackle my soul to freedom,
Fully awaken from a passing dream,
Unseen sketches vividly enhanced,
Made alive by the Master’s brush strokes and colors,
My existence is indeed a masterpiece of my Creator!
Copyright ©: 2007 Jose B. Cabajar
1:31 AM May 28, 2007
The Game Of Vanity
by Jose B. Cabajar
Game of vanity,
In a flesh-friendly sphere,
Devil-instilled eccentric desires,
Profane existence in a lawless domain.
Sensual thrill,
Inviting potential souls,
Welcoming fascinated people,
To be ushered to a world of emptiness.
Enticing play,
Justified steps of sin,
Sweet dance with darkness,
Who really craves for a glimpse of light?
Selfish flesh,
Eats up the souls of men,
Countless victims of flaming lust,
Who is awake and aware of the cup of hell?
Game of vanity,
What is at stake?
Tragic journey into the abyss,
What a deceitful game without winners.
Hell screams,
The Gospel calls,
Come to Christ without delay,
Believe on Him and be saved today.
© 2005 Jose B. Cabajar (All rights reserved)
Life So Precious
by Jose B. Cabajar
An awesome presence,
Not a mere physical existence,
Beyond human comprehension,
Not dreams and illusion,
Life so vibrant and colorful,
Fragile and yet so wonderful,
A gift so precious,
Superb expression of the Creator,
A message-filled life,
Being read by the scholars,
Well-appreciated by the prudent,
Inimitably fashioned in this realm!
A wealth to be treasured,
A life to be thanked for,
Designed for a special purpose,
Yet to be fulfilled with wisdom,
In spite of besetting foes,
Truth cannot be concealed,
The message of truth prevails,
Well-painted by great masters,
Sung by inspired singers,
Graciously spoken by noble poets,
Dark sayings of the intellectuals,
Word of Truth preached by the called,
Touched by the Living Word,
Healed by the Lord,
So precious a faith that saves,
Abundant grace unleashed,
Jesus saved my dear soul.
Life so precious,
Death wants to seize,
Oh, death my life is not yours to take!
Wholly preserved by the God of the living,
My precious life exists forever,
For a while… I’m here to shine,
A few moments… I’ll be home in Heaven,
In the presence of the Holy One,
Who died for me and washed my sins away,
The beauty of His holiness will I behold,
A blessed hope to be told!
Copyright ©: 2011 Jose B. Cabajar
