the poet

That’s him. On the desk. Making himself at ease
on that wooden chair. Sometimes he would roam
around and finds his place of comfort. Then
he’ll try to weave simple scribbles into meanings
that convey thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Struggling –
and forcing all the sweats and blood do the work
of creating imaginations. He smirks,
cries, laughs, smiles, frowns. He thinks about
or confuses himself with several feelings and
thoughts. About how the fish flies in the sea
without drowning, the real highest mountains still
unconquered by the toughest, on the continuous burning
of the sun after being buried in the horizon. Even the joys
and harshest of personal experiences –
how he loves to look at his beloved and wish
she’ll always be protected; certainty of a happy-ever-after
ending though it’s just a dream, and before long
the leaving. And the hope of being together again.
On being alone; companies of friends and the shared
moments. These – . Single words concocted with another,
and another. Soon a masterpiece is built. Oftentimes
only he can understand. But then, it will not stop
there. Words cannot suffice, he knows. And so he keeps
forming the world as he knew it. That’s him. Still writing.

a lonely man and the sun

Tell me your secret –
how could you be so tough:
beaming with hope,
with radiance.
amidst the passing of the storms
of lightnings and thunders,
you endure the struggle of
being one;

And here I am
suffering your blaze –
that warmth
encompasses all
my body,
my wondering mind, and
I’m all in drought watching you
– awed by your presence.

paglaho

Inspirasyon
inspirasyon nakawala sa akin,
at pilit man habulin
kilometro na ang layo –
peste, lintik na buhay!

Ngayon
ngayon paano na
ang panaginip ng kabataan
para ngang bula
biglaan, pumutok!

Tatawa
tatawa na lang ako
sisigaw ng kawalan
habang bumabalik sa dati
sira-ulo, baliw!

Palipasin
palipasin na lang siguro
sapagkat wala nang bukas
narito na ang wakas
papalapit, nagmamadali!

mga layog-layog

habang nagbabasa kan librong dai ko masabutan
bigla lang sinda nagbutwaan
mga saradit na nilalang kan kinaban
na sa boot ko marurumi sa simpleng pitik
tigmasdan ko sinda, kakulay kan daga
tungka kong mata nagsunod sa saindang layog
mayong gayon, binubunggo lang an pader
napangirit lang ako, mga boang insekto
pero bigla na lang saro-saro naghugpa
mayo nang mga pakpak, natanggal
mga pakpak na maluluya, naputol
duman ako naherak, pero buhay pa palan
naghihiro pa, naglalakaw nin toda
nagdadalagan sa lamesa,
matindi!

two rivers flowing

Two rivers –
they are dripping,
flowing from her lakes
soon as the weary man
commence the leaving

two rivers –
they are dripping,
but the cause not unfolded
guess: was sorrow
or bliss the sense

two rivers –
they are dripping,
and then it will halt
for now lake is no more;
tomorrow it will fill again.

tomorrow

The day is soon no more
without you I expect,
sure you are not today:
to speak, touch
just look at me
without you
I’ll die before midnight.

Even so,
this life gleefully lives the now
still waiting for you;
for in his heart
you’ll always live
another day –
I might see you then.