Beyond Diversity Astray

© Lian Gabriel Niedo

On The Edge Of Glory

By: Kennett Gavin Dolomandin

The feeling of victory is pleasant. For many days you fought till you see a crescent Crossing a line of which you previously cannot, You grow, develop, and learn aught

I stand on top today as a warrior Of which is on the edge of glory I am better than what any of you thought I was I will fight for myself and anyone else’s cause.

I was never always on the top. I used to give up and tell myself to quit and stop As I hit rock bottom and thought to never get back up But I remember what I my mentor always said “My boy, ought to be the water of which fills any cup, Be the knowledge which fills your body to not go corrupt.”

The one who looks at me now sees me as a prodigy, a professional, a master. But they do not know what strength I had to muster. I was one of them, looking up to those who achieved my dream. Stand up and get ready to fight And so any water of which leaks from the seam

Till The Moon Shines Bright Again

By: Kennett Gavin Dolomandin

A cold night, the wind whispers in my ear An angel in the form of the chilling wind. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” The beautiful voice took away my fear. She put me down from her arms as I look into the night sky I never got to say goodbye to her The angel in the form of the chilling wind

Years since I saw her, I try to stay up late. For I might find her again in this side of the state The moon that night never looked as beautiful Yet in my search for her was never bountiful.

As I walk around the woods in the dazzling moonlight, A snap of a twig put me in a state of fright The moon looked as beautiful as the day I lost her She was my world, my savior, my lover

To my dismay, a pack of wolves have tracked me My imagination going wild as I think that I am dead meat I look around as a means of searching for help Instead, I sprinted through the woods

One has gotten me, “This is the end,” I thought to myself.

I lay down on the grass as I was blinded by the moon I felt light as if I was lifted off the ground. As I open my eyes, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” “I let this happen, but you shouldn't worry, Let us go home, where you shall never have to worry.”

© Jieane Gale Delos Santos

© Lian Gabriel Niedo

I Will Always Be Yours

By: Kennett Gavin Dolomandin

Poems, oh poems I wrote The description of which was filled from the feeling of your smile The dream of you and I sailing on a boat, Is nothing but a document stored in a file

We met on the first day of freshman high school I acted too soon since I thought you were cool As I look back at the time, I looked like a total fool But you accepted me, by the side of the pool

I loved you, and you felt the same for me I wanted to be the greatest person you think I can be The love we showed each other was nothing less than true But my heart broke as I saw your plane flew.

Now I think you have forgotten about me But who am I to be yours, if your heart starts to disagree? In a land of snow, you walk among great people. I, in the haystack, can’t find the answer of which is the needle.

I loved you then, I love you now. Distance may be one thing, but time is too The memories of you and I on our many tours Just remember that my arms are open, and I will always be yours.

Best Friend

By: Jieane Gale Delos Santos

© Jieane Gale Delos Santos That feeling of being with someone and seeing them grow up hits different. Many things change since I open my eyes every morning sunrise. But how come he doesn’t?

When I was four years old, I met a boy named Josh. He was the son of my dad's best friend, it was the first time I met him and I can still remember how it went. He was crying on the staircase because of his broken toy. Both of our parents were talking and didn't

mind him so I approached and helped him fix his toy. We told each other our names and eventually it blossomed the start of our friendship. After that encounter, he started coming to our house more often and our bond became more stronger than anybody could think of.

Time flew by, we both became busier with school so we didn't have time to meet anymore. It continued for weeks, months, and so on... However, when Josh and his family came to my eighth birthday, we started talking and having fun again! Since then he started to come in every special occasion we celebrate, treated him like part of our family.

He graduated from elementary school while I was in my last year of it. I noticed that things seemed different now. He started to change, he wasn't the boy I met crying on the stairs anymore. Why do I feel so affected? Then, the pandemic arrived. We stopped seeing each other, we didn't communicate with each other even if it was possible. We parted ways from there on. One time, Josh’s family was invited to my mom’s birthday but he didn’t arrive, only his parents.

Months later on my thirteenth birthday, I was shocked by the new him as he came unexpectedly. Part of me wants to run towards that Josh I knew, there's that spark from when the first time I saw him and reconciled again. but it's a bit awkward.

Then he noticed and waved at me, waiting for me to come. We talked...like a lot.... full of catching up and reminiscing from all the things we faced and the diverse opinions we shared. Especially what took away our gears of childhood and are now grown to our teenage years.

“Change is part of life, it occurs naturally, we shouldn’t fear it. It may be sad and we might not accept it but we shouldn’t be afraid of it, just go with the flow.” Josh told me. “So, no matter what happens, we’ll still be best friends.” He continued with a smile on his face. At that moment, I hugged him, I hugged him like it was the most memorable thing that happened during our up and down friendship and really, it was.

I think I understand change now, it comes naturally, we shouldn’t fear it. The type of clothes we like, the food we love to eat, our favorite color, it all changes. However, no matter how we alter ourselves and our surroundings, big or small, true companionship will always win for as long as it is full of love, trust, and care.