The Poetry of Hazel Toquero

Hello, I am Hazel Toquero and I was born and raised in the Philippines. For almost nine years, I have been blessed to teach children with special needs. Three years ago, I moved to New York and it has been a learning milestone for me. I find joy, comfort and solace in writing. I maintain a website which showcases my poems, essays and parts of my book, "Ang New York ay Isang Isla" (New York is an Island) which I wrote in Filipino. I hope you enjoy reading my work.

And a final thought;

Only the brave dare look upon they gray

Upon the things which cannot be explained easily,

Upon the things which often engender mistakes

Upon the things whose cause cannot be understood

Upon the things we must accept and live with.

And therefore only the brave dare look upon difference without flinching

Richard H. Hungerford

"On Locusts"

This poem was the introduction for my thesis for graduate school; I live according to the lines for it vividly reflect what I have been through. We encounter things that make us happy, sad, certain, unsure, fulfilling and frustrating. At this momemnt, I hope you will reflect how far you have ventured into the unknown, uncertain and things that cannot be fathomed. Our life is filled with mysteries and unending charades but if we close our eyes and have faith to make that first step, we will travel into vast distances.