The empty chair - A Poem
Education for All
The Empty Chair
Who will then sit?
Will it surely fit?
To the young mind
Who is so far behind?
It really needs to be filled
The empty chair beheld
That is always the reason
Of people behind the position
Is taking its toll
Candid teachers are on the list
Punishment at its best
Teaching at their own behest
To ensure their tomorrow
Don’t live them in the ghetto
Let them stay in school at least
Front liners can’t do a thing
This is their vow more than anything
Education is the hound
Whatever problems abound
Surely they can sort this out
So those who’re seated will not pout
Of the servants muted shout
To follow the law whatever is in the snout
This is their calling
The empty vessel they’re filling
If not, benefits will be lost
To give due respect above most...
Ang Bakanteng Upuan
Sino kaya ang uupo
Ito ba ay mapupuno
Sa paslit na kaalaman
Kahit tiyan ay walang laman
Kailangan talagang mapunan
Ang bakanteng upuan
Iyan ang laging dahilan
Ang nasa may kapangyarihan
Edukasyon para sa lahat
Ang laging isinawalat
Kailangan ng gurong matapat
Parusa ang katapat
Pagturo’y kailangang isasaayos
Para kinabukasan nila’y mairaos
Huwag silang hayaan sa kalye
Sa paaralan sila manatili
Tagpagsulong walang kawala
Ito na kasi ang kanilang panata
Sa edukasyon kayo na ang bahala
Kahit anong problema nakaamba
Seguradong ito’y kayang lutasin
Ang nakaupo ay bingi man din
Sa piping sigaw ng abang lingkod
Kasi kailangan sa batas susunod
Kinabakusan nila dapat tutukan
Kundi benepisyo kaltasan
Kung hindi magampanan
Yaring katungkulan
Isa ka lang namang tagapuno
Sa kakulangan nilang nakatago
Naipit sa sistemang uod
Walang kawala, magpatianod…
Comments
I suspect your intent was to use the word "leave" in your line "Don’t live them in the ghetto." What language are we translating to enjoy the last portion of your poem? If it is Tagalog, I will ask my daughtr to try. She served an LDS mission in Manila in the late 90's and I am anxious that she should not lose all of her fluency.
- AUTHOR
yes Audrey, and being part of the same makes me feel bad...doing nothing about it...thanks for visiting...
Education is under the gun these days --little money and getting worse in some ways--fees as higher for college and I wonder if we are becoming more stratified not less--Thank you for your wonderful poem and your giving heart
- AUTHOR
thank you for the suggestion Aurelio...it's well taken...yeah, the original title is Ang Bakanteng Upuan...
Nicely done. But perhaps you can retitle the Filipino version, so people know it's the original. Otherwise, it looks like a continuation of the English. Maraming salamat. Voting this Up and Beautiful.
- AUTHOR
that's correct dai...Love wisdom and never depart from it...it will take care of you...
education is the key to sucess..
- AUTHOR
glad to hear that...:-)
you're welcome, racin
- AUTHOR
thank you PDX and for visiting my hub today...
nice work, racinwa!
- AUTHOR
thank you b...that's my way of expressing my disgust of the few leaders i have here in our place...they always want to blame someone else for the low quality of education...thank B...
What a lovely poem - an empty chair can have so man connotations - when I started to read, I thought you were going in an entirely different direction - very commendable - B.
- AUTHOR
oh, thank you ahorseback for the wonderful comment...it sure does add a dose of confidence to me...thank you also for visiting...
It is the conciencious teachers like you that make all the difference! Congratulations for that!....:-}
- AUTHOR
thank you Eddy for the words of encouragement...you're a great friend as well...
A wonderful hub raciniwa ,you are a gifted writer and here's to so many more to share on here.
Take car and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
- AUTHOR
Darknlovely,
thank you for believing in the message of the poem...and also for the vote of confidence...
Love the message within this write.. keep on writing my hubber friend vote up
- AUTHOR
@Barbs...thank you for sharing your insight...as an educator i do take so much passion for my work...
'
@raciniwa...Deep thoughts for educators, but for the public, as well! Nice work!
- AUTHOR
yes, it's sad to reflect on the worsening plight of our educational system...thank you for sharing sentiments with me...
Now this poem here is an interesting poem to behold. Such beautiful words written from an empty chair. If I really look into it, read behind those words there are many different meanings, personal to me, that are deep. I really like it. It's so true, though, very true. Education is slowing down and it's a depressing thought. A thought as depressing as an "empty chair".
- AUTHOR
Hello Denise,
your comment inspired me a great...thank you so much...
yes i am saddened by the deteriorating Education in our place since i'm an educator myself...i'm still doing my best though...
raciniwa-beautiful and woeful plea; The empty chair dilemma appears to fall on deaf ears...
I had a thought that the part in nonEnglish was a repeat of the poem...my observation seemed to be accurate from your comment.
Nicely done-I'm looking forward to reading more. Your comment to mine on your 'depression' question has me curious...email me if you would like to discuss this.
- AUTHOR
hello ray!!!
so nice of you to drop by and read my poem...actually it's a Filipino version...because this poem was originally written in Filipino and translated it to English...and yes i do so care about the future of our youth...
Cool write . The last part i couldn't make out . lol .
You seem to be a concerned person . it shows in this poem . nice to meet ya
ray
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