Ode To El Niño

By Author: Jocell Maranan
Total Articles: 3
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I had written this poem way back 1997 when I was in third year high school for our school paper. I was very much inspired by John Keats's Ode on a Grecian Urn, in which, I emulated the style of this poem. I used old Anglo-American words to give a classical touch, so as, to remind us of Vikings of Deutschland and Angleland, a time wherein the sound of the lute remains a national anthem. I also made used of some characters of the Greek mythology for the purpose of presenting a lot of metaphors and personifications. I must admit, it is very difficult to comprehend so I suggest, that you must have a dictionary beside you while reading this.

The poem basically discussed the good effects of the El Niño phenomenon to the Phillipines in the year 1997. It won't be called an ode if it won't tackle the positive and good things! Through this poem, I had given another view to the adverse effects of the said phenomenon. There is more than the perspiration we excrete, the thirst we experience and the scorching heat we endure.

This poem was never published in our school paper due to its unfamiliar wordings ...
... and its incomprehensible meaning. Apparently, it was not suitable for high school students to read. Luckily, it was noticed in North America. The poem was selected as a semi-finalist in the North American Open Poetry Contest, in which the final competition was held last winter of 1998. In addition, it was published in The National Library of Poetry's classic edition-quality hardbound volume, Dawn of Silence, last January 1999. The said poem was not only presented in print but also in spoken word. It was recorded in a cassette tape, The Sound of Poetry, wherein beautiful baroque music and a brief commentary of the poetry served as a prelude to the selected artistry. Originally, this poem was composed of 40 lines, but due to contest rules and regulations, I'd trimmed it down to 20 lines. So far, this is the most high-end poem I've ever written.


Ode to El Niño
by Jocell Siyangbigay Maranan

Such could a many canonist e'er canst beck
Gypsies, atheists failed shuffling their tarots
Of mishap; a Centaur, a man and a beast
Hail! Thy little child was born.

Anglophobic was he!
Aye! Aye! Aye!
Together wi' Hephaestus, slain Nereus, defamed Ganga
Poseidon hath no choice but taste thine might of trident
Lo! Naiads though vagrant hobbled after a sloth
In tri frets higher, blew horns against thy Mother.

Doth Orientals quaffed thine potion made?
Thinking they opened e'ry knocking on the door,
And scooped eddies hiding near the barnyard,
Three times daily, a month or two
Prosaic, consciousness holds still!

As lofty as a king, as bold as a knight
A word in his mouth merged the bestrewed
Gin he does not touch the peaceful morn,
Would blood be water? Would thistles flower?
Would sick tigers feel well? Would empty heads be filled?
About the Author: Jocell Maranan's Short Biography: Jocell Siyangbigay Maranan was born on February 9, 1982 in Batangas City. He is the third of the five children of Mr. Juan A. Maranan (deceased), a public school teacher, and Mrs. Cecilia S. Maranan, a registered midwife. His father died at the age of 62 when he was 14 years old. Because of this, his mother struggled in raising him and his siblings solely. At an early age, he showed signs of eagerness to go to school. He spent his kindergarten days in Bauan East Central School, elementary in St. Theresa's Academy and high school in Sta. Teresa College. Source: www.isnare.com