Pilipino...

Malamig na hangin
kumot sa katawan
nitong mandirigma,
sahig ang kanlungan.

Nakapikit ang mga mata
mga labing nagpipigil
ng marahang pagsambit
ng libong panalangin.

Pilitin mang matulog
diwa ay kusang gigising
lilisanin ang panaginip
may himig ng uyayi.

Malakas na pag-ungol
bakas sa mukha
pakikibakang pasakit
kalaban ay sino?

Pait ng nakaraan
asin sa sugat
malaya at sariwa
tuluyang naghihingalo.

Impit na pag-iyak
hikbing kumakawala
gustuhin mang lumimot
hapdi ang ala-ala.

Bangungot ang pag-asa
iyon ang pamuksa
sa katawang pagal
sa kaluluwang patay.

Ngunit angkin niya
dugong marangal
hindi pasusupil
anuman ang wakas.

Maliit man ang apoy
sa kalungkutan ng gabi
ito’y magniningas
kasabay ng tala.

Yakap ang tapang
siya’y mahihimbing
gigising sa umaga
sisilay sa araw.

Siya’y mandirigma
Dugo ang sandata.

When I said I loved you…

I was not thinking of Eden
or an island ever virgin,
neither of a palace in the heavens.

I was not looking at the sun’s rays
blinded by brilliance
or the glowing boldness.

I was not hearing chimes
of yin and yang
or classical music.

I was not smelling cocoa
on a rainy afternoon
seducing the wind.

I was not tasting marshmallows
vanilla and vainly sitting
on my ice cream.

I was not touching the face
of Venus’ perfection;
nonchalant to Cupid’s tickle.

When I said I loved you…
I was not shouting at the top of my lungs
I was not even listening to my voice.

It was only a whisper of a heartbeat
that probably got drowned
in the ocean of bliss.