Sunday, March 7, 2010
A report from the South
On the other hand,
I’m doing rather well.
I pull weeds;
I break soil;
I spike stones;
Rocks turn.
I hack wood;
Fire crackles
And hisses
At my face.
I climb hills;
Balancing pails and pails of water;
Stooping under low roofs;
Stepping over felled trees.
I see sky;
Jetways cutting across furrows of blues:
A world getting away by itself without me.
There are nights when I think stars;
You galaxies away;
Your friends hanging on trees;
Puppet witches with plaster-white feet.
Mornings find me on the horizon;
Dibble in hand;
The sun on my brow;
In my heart a wedge:
Happiness dammed.
You standing there;
Mortal;
Looking like you don’t know me.
How I want to tell you:
Here things grow.
Here the earth changes;
Here I live.
19 July 2008
Pagadian City
Two women walking
Pakikiraan
Pa’no kaya kita
kakausapin
nang walang
sinasabi,
Walang hinihingi,
Walang minumungkahi,
At walang dinaramdam.
Nais kong maging maingat
sa aking pagdaan;
Manabi-tabi,
Ituring kang
Isang ilang na lugar.
Tahimik na susubayin,
At buong galang na
Iiwanan;
Hahayo nang walang galit,
Walang gustong nakawin,
At walang ni anong
Dadalhin.
05 March 2000
Davao City