Sorbetes

Magkasama tayo maghapon.

Nagtampisaw sa mainit na sikat ng araw

Sukob tayo ng iisang payong.

Sabay tayong naglakad.

Tumungo sa isang lugar na may

Bagong pagkakakilanlan

Liban sa lunang iniwan.

At tayo'y nahapo.

Mga damdamin na lamang natin ang hindi.

At ibinilhan kita ng sorbetes.

Ngumiti ka dahil hindi mo inasahan.

Wala kang tinuran.

Hindi ako nagsalita.

 Sa malinaw mong mga mata,

Matingkad na kulay ng iyong mukha.

Ako'y napapatitig, sumusuri,

Naghihintay sa mga susunod na mangyayari.

Minamasdan bawat huwad mong ngiti.

Inilalabas ng iyong mga mata.

Ang nadarama ng iyong kaluluwa.

Sana napasaya kita.

Kahit panandalian lamang.

Tala*

Tala

*Tulang bunga ng magulong isip. Na-retrieve ko mula sa memo ng phone ko.

Isa kang tala 

Gabay sa maitim na kalangitan

Nagniningning at kumikislap

Malayo at abot-tanaw ko lang.

Ngunit minsan pakatandaan

Mahuhulog ka din

Makakabitiw sa pagkakakapit

At sa aki'y mapapalapit

He Has Touched the Rainbow

He Has Touched the Rainbow


He Has Touched the Rainbow


January 5, today is my dad’s third death anniversary. Allow me to post this.

“Tatay, can someone touch the rainbow?”

That was the first question I remember which I have asked my dad. He gave me a big smile.

“The angels in the sky can.” 

We were in the farm. Yes. Tatay’s a farmer. He had been tilling the land which he does not own. During rainy season, he would have the farm planted with rice, legumes on dry season. During then, Mama would bring Tatay a lunch. That was on weekends when Mama has no work in school. Mama is a grade school teacher anyway. It’s a lovely scene seeing green fields and the cool breeze kisses your cheeks and you we’re all savoring the food under a mango tree with your family. It feels like heaven, then, I was three.