Fare thee well

They say that the only constant thing in our life is change. And this is a yet another perfect example.

After 20 months of blogging in this platform, I am packing and moving to HERE. Also, I’m inviting you to see my new baby HERE.

Hope you join me in this new journey.

Recap

The year of living dangerously

Came close to Death

Not once but twice, baffled

At my luck, or misfortune,

Depends on who I ask;

Came close to Love

Not twice but thrice, afraid

Of myself, and my heart,

Whichever is still here;

Came close, a Life

Of possibilities, decided

To stay, and move on,

To where, so uncertain.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Smoke

usok

ibinabalik ng hangin

ang usok ng sigarilyong

binuga palayo sa ‘kin:

nanunuot sa ‘king ulo

ang usok ng iyong dibdib,

di arok kung san ang dulo

ng hininga at pag-ibig–

kung gaano ba kapusok,

kung sinlinaw ba ng tubig.

ngunit katulad ng usok

mula sa ‘yong sigarilyo,

ang pangako mo’y marupok,

sadyang madaling mabuyo

ng mga bulong ng hangin,

kayang tangayin palayo

hanggang maglaho sa akin.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Drifting, 5

mid-air

on the plane,

the twilight sun

falls on my skin

like molten steel.

my drink glints

like his icy stare,

hitting my eyes:

slivers of glass

that cuts me blind,

blood with tears

i wish to wipe away

with the fat clouds

cushioning the plane.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Drifting, 4

alapaap

tumama ang sikat

ng palubog na araw

sa aking kamay at

sa basong plastik;

kumislap ang baso,

habang tila natubog

sa gintong makinang

ang aking kamay;

nabaling ang tingin

sa balumbon ng ulap

na tila bulak sa ilalim

ng aking sinasakyan;

at sa pagtama ng kisap

sa aking mga mata,

naisip ko kung maari

bang ipahid sa mga ulap

itong aking mga luha?

ang air space sa pagitan ng vietnam at cambodia

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Drifting, 3

cast away

the night sky

is dark and wide

stars burn with their

endless fires while

the river encloses me

in its cool embrace:

lulling me to slumber

devoid of any thoughts,

not caring for whatever

happens from here on.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Drifting, 2

paglusong

paglusong ko sa ilog,

ako’y magpapatangay

sa kanyang mga agos,

patungo sa kung saan

ang tubig ay may lamig

ng umaga at ang alon

ay yumayapos sa dibdib

na tila sabik na sanggol:

hindi ako manlalaban,

di tatangkaing lumangoy.

phnom penh 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Drifting

the river

my loneliness

feels like a river

i can’t swim across;

i’m afraid of going

to where the currents

will bring me: tired

of finding myself in

different places

while feeling

the same.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman

Beef soup for the soul

Pho

Natagpuan ko ang ligaya

Sa malaking mangkok

Ng mainit na sabaw

Na gumuhit sa lalamunan

Ngayong maulan na gabi,

Kasabay sa paggapang

Ng init sa kaibuturan

Nang aking masulyapan

Itong mukha’t katawang

Nakalantad sa ‘king harap:

Buo ang bawat hilatsa

Ng bawat laman ng hapag 

Ngunit mailap ang mata,

Di masilo ng aking tingin

At mahaharot na ngiti;

Pinili ang pagtunganga

Nalimot sariling gutom

Kaya kahit umuwing di ubos

Itong piniling hapunan,

Busog din ang pakiramdam. 

tay ninh, vietnam, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

10 years ago, 3

L’affaire Internationale

You grasp my hands

Your breath on my skin

Wet kisses on my feet

Whispers of passion:

Je t’adore.

I hold your gaze steady

Fair-haired and dimpled

Smooth skin like milk

Sibilant voice trembling:

Vous avez de beaux yeux.

Your words flow

Like syrup,

Filling me with

Promises so sweet

I am almost 

Led to believe.

Again.

Nothing is forever,

Amour, this

I’ve learned painfully.

If I let you take me

To this dance again,

I may not get out

In time to save what

Remains of myself.

Nothing is forever,

Oui, even the love

That you so profess.

Kiss me, mon cher,

The time is ripe

For parting.

Au revoir.

manila, 1998; edited phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman