Alone again

Hotel Poem

Sunlight enters:

Pale shafts that cut

The floor to slivers.

Huddled in a corner,

I’m counting shadows:

Day’s almost over.

kuala lumpur, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Sign of the times

Ano 

Mayroon akong alam

Hindi ko sasabihin

Mayroon akong hangad

Ngunit di pipilitin.

Mayroon akong lihim

Hindi ko ibubunyag

Ako man ay pilitin

Di ako matitinag.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Sunrise

Street 364, early morning

The wind bears the hint

Of the night’s coldness.

Students with wet hair

Tread the unpaved road.

Leaves sigh as dew-drops

Vanish from their skins.

Wives go on, business-like,

Through their daily routine.

Dust rise from slumber,

Poised to take to the air.

The night watchman yawns

As he makes his rounds.

And on the houses’ roofs

The first drops of sunlight

Fall like molten steel.

phnom penh, 2004

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Slow study

Di Na Natuto 

Nangyari na ito noon

Bakit ba hindi nagtanda;

Nilimot ko ang kahapon 

Kaya ngayo’y nagigitla. 

Nangyari na ito noon

Ngunit muli kang tinanggap;

Di natuto sa kahapon

Kaya ligaya’y mailap. 

phnom penh 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Preserving the self

Instinct

I can’t promise

Your freedom from pain,

For pain is a constant

In this elaborate equation

Called intimacy.

I can’t stop you

From protecting yourself:

Self-preservation is

As natural as the very air

We breathe to live.

I can’t guarantee

We’ll always be together;

For we all succumb to life’s

Transience, including

The emotions we feel.

I can’t help you if

You’re feeling helpless

About this. Nothing in life

Comes without even

A whiff of risk.

The only thing

I can share, this lesson

Taught to me long ago,

Is this desire to know

You, in spite of all that

I know now, in spite of all

The bad things that may

Happen; we’re on the same

Boat, and only our faith

Will keep us afloat.

manila, 1999

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Valentine’s day

Sa araw ng mga puso

Ulila, may takot sa dibdib,

Sapilitang ikinukubli

Ng masayang kilos at ngiti.

Mag-isa, kapiling ng wala,

Tahimik na pinagdadasal

Ang pagwawakas ng tampuhan.

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Apsara

Apsara*

Languid like molasses,

Foot crosses foot,

Landing on the floor

Like whispers.

Stiff as starched collars,

Hands turn and turn

To face the wind

Like flowers.

Precious as diamonds,

Smiles are tucked,

Awaiting discovery

Like secrets.

* the traditional Khmer dance

phnom penh, 2004

copyright Michael P. De Guzman 

Regarding Derrick

Blood Compact

Hindi kita balak sugatan

Kahit nagulat sa ‘yong hiling;

Ilang taon din ang nagdaan

Mula nang huli itong gawin.

Kundi ko man agad naarok

Ang bukal ng iyong kalamnan,

Marahil ay dahil sa takot

Na balikan ang nakaraan.

Nang dugo’y tumulo’t pumatak

Sa balat nitong aking kamay,

Naisip ang ating tinahak 

At hinarap nang magkasabay.

Kung ikaw ang katipunero,

Ako ay punyal na matalas

Na nakaamba sa ‘yong braso:

Nakaabang sa takdang hudyat. 

Kung ang pagdaloy nga ng dugo

Ang tangi nating pamantayan,

Ngayo’y lubusan nang nabuo

Ang ating pagkakaibigan.

para kay Derrick

phnom penh, 2008

copyright Michael P. De Guzman