If I remember correctly, I was in 9th grade when I first started churning out poems into my plain journal. It happened after I have read a few good ones by young Cebuano students from a local daily. This may sound like an exaggeration, but those poems welcomed me to the mysterious, yet spectacular world of words that is poetry.

A few years passed, I found myself attending a poetry reading event along with a friend. I never knew back then that poetry can be an ear candy, as it is in the heart when somebody performed Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye's When Love Arrives. That was when I first let the art of spoken word held me in its arms. I said to myself, it would be a privilege to meet Sarah and Phil and listen to them perform live. With the conspiracy of the stars, I was able to meet them both at a press event organized by the Cebu Literary Festival at Circa 1900 last May 9, 2017.

The glorious sun was about to bid farewell when Sarah and Phil arrived at the dining area designated for the press. Their presence lit the dim room and made our hearts brim with joy. I believe that we all tried to contain our excitement. I gently pressed my seatmate's hand, regardless of the fact that it was the first time that we spend time together. Seeing Sarah and Phil in flesh felt like meeting your childhood best friend after a long period of time. And even though you haven't talked to that friend of yours' for quite some time already, you know deep inside you that you can still count on him.

During the press event, we had the chance to meet and dine with the celestial duo. I find it difficult to swallow what we had for dinner, not because it wasn't sumptuous, but because just sitting a few inches away from them was enough to take my hunger away. Truth be told, I wasn't hungry for food at that time. I was starving for the words of my literary heroes. I'd like to share a few of what I have digested in this post.

Here are some lessons to live by from Sarah and Phil for everyone who breathes poetry:

Sarah and Phil, effervescent as ever, were generous enough to answer all of our questions and take photos with us. I'll never forget their gorgeous locks and melodic voices. I went out of Circa 1900 feeling blissful. After all, it's not every day that you get to dine and converse with people who inspired you to write more. 

On my way home, a summer rain started falling from the evening sky. Aside from the curious thoughts of the petrichor that emanated from the roads, I heard the universe promising me a future made brighter by the beauty of words. I know that I have so much to write about and those lessons from Sarah and Phil shall flow together with my ink. I smiled riding a jeepney going home thinking of my students. I couldn't wait to share such promise to my dearest ones whose eyes are gleaming with poems.

love lots,

Tin