Ma. Bonita P. Valdez-Cruzada 

Philippines 

Bonette is a dynamic person and a lover of art, especially poetry writing and music. She was the Literary Editor of the school tabloid, "The Trailblazer," and she published articles in local magazines. Her first book of verse, "Deep Enchantments," is now in preparation. Her poem, "A Creature," landed on the semi-finals in the North American Open Poetry Contest and was featured in the anthology, "Beyond the Horizon," and "Sound of Poetry" of The National Library of Poetry. She's a student at the Institute of Children's Literature, USA and she hopes to publish children's stories in the future. A musically oriented person, she won in amateur singing competitions; "Kantahan '85" was the first contest she joined but garnered the 1st Prize. At the Faculty of Science, UAE University, she organizes geological conferences and handles book projects. She believes that education is a continuous process. "One must not stop from learning." She is a member of Professional Secretaries International, USA and was nominated as a Lifetime Distinguished Member of The International Society of Poets.

A Sonnet, An Expatriate

While reaping harvest i sum my real worth 
Of serving Arabs instead of my own 
Maybe I erred so I suffer hence forth 
Not seeing my child has matured and grown 

Indeed the bounty I possess is green 
For my loved one's comfort but for my grief 
Must I stop dreaming? Return to my kin? 
Or conquer the wounds that loneliness gives? 

For then when the glitter of gold languish 
In Arabia my presence will vanish

One Perfect Arch

Frilly tendrils dangled from exotic vines, 
in fringes hung with fresh and withering leaves, 
enshrouded with scented flowers. 
Where drones buzz around charming petals 
and butterflies flutter over yellow pollens, 
while insects hide beneath reedy stems 
they creep and crawl. 

An arch reminds me one of nature's fragments 
A wondrous rainbow in genial hues and shades. 
Resplendent it seems as it bends over earth; 
a mighty covenant between God and men. 

This intangible shaft of pigmented prism 
soothes my soul from hideous grievings, 
like the verdant arch I currently own. 
Misty reflections, my oasis and hope. 

Beneath the bridges along the bustling roads, 
concrete arch sustaining the load, 
where water streams in pacific waves, 
where silvery beams nightly shimmer 
on wanton ripples upon the greenish sea. 
And ships smoothly sail through the arch 
uniting man and man, all races and creeds. 

A lacy arch once bowed over me. 
Regina of elegance, I was beheld. 
In crystal tiara and sequined cloak, 
my king beside me, my hand he held. 

Arches of mortality in fantasies I conceive. 
In stones, in leaves or in lacy trimmings, 
Precise they are in purpose and meanings. 
Dreamers can dream, wishers can wish 
as long as they are living. 

As I journey through the paths of life, 
above and below these arches prevail. 
But one heavenly day, in a desolate place, 
behind me curved a living arch. 
Warm, touching, emotional it seems: 
it bends and moves, has skin and pores. 
It pats my back, lifts my soul, 
This arm of a friend 
My one perfect arch!