Atty. Rafael E. Evangelista is a lawyer by profession, having been a partner of the international law firm, Baker and Mckenzie. He has outstanding accomplishments in many other fields, holding leadership and other key positions in professional, business and banking, socio-civic, and academic organizations. He is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines and of Georgetown University in the U.S.
Although he considers his love for writing, specially poetry, as a hobby, his passion for this pursuit manifests itself in the fact that he has written over 5,000 poems in the Haiku genré alone, aside from other verse forms. He has finally decided to publish in book form his voluminous body of poetry work.
You hover over us in love,
Even as you had done ...
The sparkle of light above,
Just below the rising sun,
Is that you with angel wings
Amongst the clouds? You ...
Smiling, laughing, seeing,
With the sparkle of dew?
There! On your radiant face
The brilliance of the sun
Reflecting Heaven’s grace
On a beloved, favored son?
You have crossed over
From the dark to light.
Eyes uncovered, seeing.
No darkness blocking sight.
No more wounds gaping
From tortuous dry skin.
But the gentle gaze looking,
Caring, loving from within.
You never ever whined
You never complained.
Only smiles that shined,
Though great the pain.
Fly, Angelo, fly from here
Free of pain, free of fear.
You are whole, you are free.
God’s love hearken unto thee!
Fly! Fly! Fly!
This poem is a tribute to an amazing young man, Angelo Fernandez, who lost his life a few days ago at the age of 37 years. Angelo had two debilitating conditions: He was legally blind and couldn’t read anything two or three inches away from his face. He also had a horrific skin condition and would break out into wounds and rashes all over his body. Nevertheless, he was never embittered. He never complained. He was forever positive about life and went about with that ever present smile on his face. He never said anything negative about anyone. He was very intelligent, well read despite his eyesight or lack of it, surrounding himself with books and reading material. He went on to finish college. He was a dedicated friend and son. He tried his hardest to look after his parents and friends, despite his handicaps. He doted over his parents, specially his father, who he spoiled (rather than the reverse). I was drawn to Angelo early on after I met him. What a beautiful human being! The poem I wrote was meant to be my tribute to him.
As a change of pace, permit me to share a poem I wrote many years ago
You turned my way
When I was really down,
I only saw your smile,
But never saw you frown.
You took me by the arm,
You held out your hand,
You steadied me gently,
Even as I tried to stand.
You looked at me so softly
With gentle, caring eyes,
But one day you turned away
And never said goodbye.
I wonder what I said or did
That made you turn away.
I never meant to hurt you
On that sad and fateful day.
I still go to that corner
Where once you saw me fall,
In the hope I’ll see you once again,
In the hope to hear you call.
I hoped to hear you say one day
“I will always be there for you
And even when you stumble
There will always be us two.”
I never saw your face again.
It was never really meant to be.
One fleeting glimpse in time,
A clash of pain and love in me.
I still go to that dark corner
Where you left without goodbyes.
The solitary streetlight shines
On lonely tears and sighs.
I know I have to say, “goodbye.”
I know it was never meant to be.
Forgive me for even dreaming of
The wonder of you and me.
And yet for now
It is winter, my friend.
The years have fled,
And time is now,
Because the now
Has come to bed.
The winter cold stares
Me in disrepair,
And yet, shall I not
Despair.
For yet the now
May be the most
Important years
Of all.
I no longer seek
The mountains
As I had done.
I no longer cross the
Forest trails that
I used run,
Or swim the seas
I used to conquer.
So still, shall I not
Waiver.
I believe the now
May be the most
Important years
Of all.
It is hard to
Remember when the
World was bright.
When it was spring
And everything
Was just so right.
The winter winds
Now blowing heavy
In the frigid air,
Even as the trees
Are by the cold
Laid bare.
But yet the now
May be the most
Important years
Of all.
I must prepare
For the final
Harvest of my years
As I cross over
The bridge of life.
But, without the tears.
A new life lies
Beyond the bend,
Beyond the turn
Where light begins,
And does not end.
For I know
The now are
The most important
Years of all!
