Wednesday, October 29, 2014

BILINGUAL POEMS



Having been constantly using a borrowed language since high school and beyond, I am sometimes torn to uncertainty as to whether to use one in favor of the other or end up writing in both idioms in my poetry. Here is a sample.

from a distance
at the appointed time
I wait for your glance
to bask once more
in your smile

Tagalog

sa abot ng tanaw
at takdang panahon
hintay and sulyap mo
nang muling mamasdan
and iyong ngiti

Published in my book,
Haiku and Tanka Harvest

Monday, October 13, 2014

Runaway daughter

fading fragrance
of wilted jasmine
runaway daughter

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Sold house


Sold house -

Lingering a bit, my kids had to literally drag me out of the house which I sold but has not yet been occupied by the new owner. Earlier, I begged them to let me see our house for the last time. I had to get rid of it due to the passing of my wife with most of my children out and living on their own. Also, it was emotionally draining for me and I could not stand and bear to see, feel, and relive the decades of memorable experiences living there.

for the last time
I listen to the laughter
of my growing children
echoing from the rooms
of my just sold house