LITERARY

Flawed but Somehow Pretty

By:  Arianne Acampado

Flowers are seen as pretty, even perfect, by some,

They’re seen as something far from being flawed

Something we want to be like.

But some flowers are poisonous,

Some have thorns that cuts through your skin

Some had already wilted

And some turned to ash after being burned

Flowers are pretty, yes, but they are flawed

They’re not as perfect as we wished they could

But It’s funny, really, how their flaws are seen as pretty

Like fairytales in books, like princesses in movies
07/0325

The Silent Quill

By:  Arianne Acampado

I have a pen, and it doesn’t write very well,

I used to write poems with it everyday,

So it’s such a shame to throw it away,

But it had already lost its purpose, so why keep it anyway?

I have a pen, and it couldn’t write at all,

Not a single drop of ink in it,

I should’ve thrown it a while ago,

But it was pretty so I couldn’t let go

I should’ve bought another pen,

Or used a different one instead

But I liked the way it feels in my hand,

A hint of elegance, a perfect fit, smooth and not too in demand.

More than ink, it holds the words I’ve said,

A silent witness to the thoughts within my head,

A faded friend, a story left untold,

A precious relic, more valuable than gold.

07/20/25

The Quiet One who Listens

By:  Arianne Acampado

I like my pillows better than people,

How I could cry in it without being asked,

Or how my feelings don’t need to be masked

It’s just there, no questions asked, just there.

I like my pillows better than people,

How it doesn’t complain when I hug them to sleep,

Or how comfortable I feel when I’m asleep,

It’s always there, no complains, just there.

I love how soft it feels against my cheeks,

And the citrus scent it consciously brings,

Silently comforting, never judging,

Always there, never leaving.

I love how it never demands attention

No “hi” no “goodbye” always there on standby,

No begging needed, No asking for forgiveness

It’s just there, always there.

08/27/25

A Flawed Reflection

By:  Arianne Acampado

I envied the sun for being the source of light,

And the moon for shining during the darkest nights,

The stars for twinkling bright,

And even the sky being a beautiful sight

I envied butterflies for having wings,

And bees for their stings,

Cats for their lovely eyes,

And dogs for their gentle smiles

I looked at the reflection in front of me,

And began to wonder, what beauty I could possibly see,

I guess I stared a little too hard, it shattered the mirror apart,

Leaving me with nothing but a bleeding hand and a broken heart.

08/27/25

The Gaze of the Immaculate

By:  Arianne Acampado

The eighth of the month arrives, a gentle nudge in the rhythm of days, a reminder to turn my gaze towards Her.

Her Image, bathed in a soft, ethereal light, draws the eye. The statue, crowned in gold, stands as a symbol of purity and grace. Her gaze is serene, a gentle invitation to find solace in her unwavering faith.

But it’s not Her visual image that captivates. It’s the feeling that draws us to the image— a sense of peace, of hope, of unwavering love. It’s a reminder of the power, the strength found in devotion, and the comfort offered by a mother’s love.

“Every 8thof the month.” A simple phrase, yet it carries a profound weight. It’s a call to consistency, to a regular practice of devotion, a reminder to keep faith alive in the everyday moments of life. It’s an invitation to join a community of believers, united in their love for the Immaculate Conception.

10/08/25

The Walls I Built

By:  Arianne Acampado

I raised my walls up to the sky,

Slammed the doors, trapping me inside,

A lonely fort where feelings hide,

A prison built of fear and pride.

I wished for a hand to reach me,

A gentle knock to set me free,

Someone to know the reason why,

I had to build my walls that high.

But sometimes, in the dead of night,

A tiny flicker, a fragile light,

A thought that maybe, just maybe,

There’s more to life than what I see.

And though the walls still stand so tall,

I listen for that gentle call,

A hope that someone understands,

And offers me their loving hands.

10/21/25

Wandering Minds

By:  Arianne Acampado

My mind is like a lab, experimenting all day

Testing ideas, in a scientific way

It’s curious, it’s restless, it’s always on the go

Seeking answers, to questions that glow

Like a molecule, my thoughts collide

Creating sparks, new ideas inside

My brain is working, like a computer fast

Making connections, making sense at last

Through the lens of science, I see the world anew

A place of wonder, where discoveries brew

I search for answers, I quest for the unknown

My wandering mind, is forever on the throne

In the realm of knowledge, I wander and roam

Seeking secrets, and finding my way home

My mind is restless, my heart is free

My wandering mind, is all about discovery.

10/22/25

Reflection on Luke 4:14-22

By:  Arianne Acampado

Jesus went to the place of worship in his hometown, Nazareth, and read an old story that said God would send someone special to help people who were hurting, feeling left out, or stuck in bad situations. When he finished reading, he told everyone, “This story is coming true right now, right here—and I am the one God sent.”

The people who were there knew him as “Joseph’s kid” — they had seen him grow up, so they thought, “How can this person we know so well be the special one that everyone has been waiting for?” This teaches us that God does not only use famous, super-talented, or perfect people to make the world better. He uses ordinary people like us.

The things Jesus talked about—helping people who have nothing, setting free those who are trapped by fear or sadness, giving hope to those who feel alone—are still things God wants to do today, through us. At first, the people were impressed by what Jesus said, but they got upset when they realized his message was not just for them, but for everyone.

This reminds us to be open to God working in ways we might not expect, to remember that our worth is not based on what other people think of us, and to be brave enough to do the good things God asks us to do.

01/08/26

Prayer

By:  Arianne Acampado

Heavenly Father,

When storms rage around us and uncertainty feels overwhelming, we often let fear take hold of us and forget our faith in You.

Forgive us for our small faith when challenges arise. Help us remember that You hold all things in Your hands, even when everything around us seems to be out of control. Strengthen our trust in You, so we may face all things with courage and peace.

In Jesus' name we pray

Amen.

01/09/26

Poem

By:  Arianne Acampado

Every brush strokes, every color used, and every style of painting holds different meanings and stories behind it. The struggles they once faced and the love they had shared with their families, are all captured and expressed through painting. These paintings may not be perfect— some may look messy, more bright and some may look clean—but so are every family. They can be chaotic at times, loud, or more quiet and calm, and just like these paintings, every family also has their own unique styles and beauty, but still, they share the same thing: love, and this bonds them together, making them stronger that no distance can ever tear them apart.

01/12/26