Poetry in English

I. Gongs Ceremony Gods will be angryIf gongs have no harmony.Strike it properly. Betrothal Gongs made of copper.But it’s a sincere offer.Marry my daughter. Omen The gong’s an heirloom.Perfect present from the groom.No love, meet your doom.

Every December, my uncle pops rice paper candies in my palm. They barely survive the voyage to mouth. I can’t explain how the heat from my supplicate hands boil its sugary coat. When it gets to my mouth, lingers like an island, saliva aquamarine,              pacific ocean tongue. Sucks out the gummy bits. They cross miles and miles for me to digest,…

Maya’t maya ang pagdaan mo sa aking mga baytang, Tila isang dambuhalang dumadagan sa katawan. Malimit pang magmadali ang hakbang mong may pagyanig, Na para bang isang lindol at ikaw lang itong manhid.  Kadalasan ay ako rin ang ‘yong tagpuang-pag-ibig, O di kaya ay upuan o patungan ng iyong gamit. Sa akin mo rin iniiwan ang basurang ikinalat, At ang dura…