Posts

Ang pato at tandang

( ‘Wag kami idyota!)

Ni Ibarra Banaag

Isang umagang kay ganda,

nagkasalubong ang dalawa,

sa lungga ng mga buwaya,

ng kuro-kuro at komedya.

Si Pato ay kumakatawan,

sa kulumpon ng kadiliman,

‘to naman si King Tandang,

tagapagtanggol ng katwiran.

Kwak kwak, mister ispiker,

kabataan ngayo’y bulnerable,

kaloka na mga impormasyon,

papalapit na ang Armaggedon.

Mister ispiker, bati ni Tandang,

ako po’y nagtapos na may honor,

kaya’t ‘wag paratangang lito,

sa paksang dito nakadulog.

Kwak kwak, mister ispiker,

hindi po ako kami mga dugyut,

bulnerable, nga’t inkredible,

mis-impormasyon may perdible!

Mister ispiker, bati ni Tandang,

kaming kabataan ay di bobo,

ayaw namin na kapuntahan,

isang mangmang sa lipunan.

Kwak kwak, mister ispiker,

I therefore conclude the world youth,

ay really bulnerable pati gayut,

kaya po ako nagpapa-kyut!

Mister ispiker, sabi ni Tandang,

ang lumaking walang muwang,

sa mundo at kasaysayan,

isang insulto sa’ming talas at talino.

Kwak kwak, mister ispiker

hindi ko ugali na magpa-bebe,

talaga po kasing bulnerable,

kaming kampon ni Baby Em.

Mister ispiker, kaming milenyo,

ay di katulad ni Ginang Pato,

na hindi pwedeng mamanipula,

ng mga gawa-gawang litanya.

Kwak kwak, mister ispiker,

i-clear ko lang, di ako bitter,

regarding somebody else’s agenda,

bulnerable ang pork sa merienda.

Mister ispiker, ‘yan bang kurikulum,

na ituturo niyo sa klasrum,

ay babaluktot sa diktadurya,

kaya bulnerable ang masa?

Setyembre 21, 2023

Panata ng Naiwang Panyapak

Ni Pia Montalban

Hindi na namin sila nasamahan

kahit amin nang nakasanayan

na hindi mag-iwanan

liban pahinga ang nananawagan.

Kasama nila kami sa mga pamayanan,

nakinig ng hinaing ng mga mamamayan,

nakilakbay sa mga mamamalakaya,

naging kaisa sa kanilang mga panawagan.

Subalit, nang gabing iyon, maulan

sa kalsada ng Manrique, iniwan

ng mga hiyaw na pumailanlang

sa pamayanan—ang aming paalamanan.

Tigalgal kaming mga naging piping saksi,

mga naiwang ulila sa may-ari at kapares,

mga walang buhay na bagay

pero punumpuno ng ingay.

Ituturo namin na may naganap na dahas,

na may naisakatuparang krimen.

Patunay na totoo ang pananakot at teror.

Kami ang nagpangalan sa mga biktima.

Kami na saksi ng sapilitang pagkawala,

nang marahas na hatakin

ng mga armadong lalaki

ang mga katawang may suot sa amin;

Na pinilit pang umakyat ng tarangkahan,

magmakaawa na masaklolohan;

magpumiglas sa tangkang pagpapatahimik,

magpakaladkad huwag lamang mabitbit.

Saksi kami sa kanilang mga bigat,

sa bawat hakbang nilang lapat,

sa bawat mithi nilang payak,

sa bawat pangarap nilang tiyak.

Hindi na namin sila nasamahan.

Hindi na namin sila nasamahan.

Susunduin na lamang namin ang hustisya,

hahanapin ang dalawang kasama.

= = = = = =

Sina Jhed Tamano at Jonila Castro.

Dinukot ng mga hindi pa nakikilalang kalalakihan sina Jhed Tamano at Jonila Castro, mga dating mag-aaral ng Bulacan State University noong ika-2 ng Setyembre, 2023. Sina Tamano at Castro ay mga organisador ng mga pamayanan sa Bataan at Bulacan na apektado ng sari-saring proyektong reklamasyon sa Manila Bay.

Pakitang-tao

Ni Ibarra Banaag

Sangdamungkal ang problema ng bansa,

ang inatupag ay magpintura ng upuan sa iskwela,

milyon ang di makaagapay sa taas ng bilihin,

mas abala na magpalitrato at mang-aliw.

Pabalat-bunga ang tingin sa dalang tungkulin,

pakitang-tao lamang ang kinakayang gawin,

panay buladas at hungkag sa katotohanan,

ang paaralan ay entablado ng litanya’t palabas.

Isang insulto sa kaguruan ang iskrip na sinulat,

naka-barong at balat na sapatos ang karakas,

nakabihis at meyk-ap, plantsado maging buhok,

pilit pininturahan ang sistemang nabubulok.

Pagkatapos ng klik at kislap ng litratuhan,

mamayagpag muli sa lubid ng kasinungalingan,

magpupulasan sa nakaatang na mandato,

iiwanang naka-nganga ang pagod na guro.

Pawang pagpapanggap, ampaw na mga galaw,

Ilang minutong kinang sa harap ng kamangmangan,

ang mga ngiti, pagkamay, bati at pagkaway,

ay pakitang tao sa edukasyong nakagulapay.

–Hulyo 13, 2023

We keep the lights on

(A Poem for Dexter’s and Bazoo’s mothers for Mothers’ Day)

By Luchie Maranan

Remember when they were tiny

And afraid of the dark?

We took their hands

And brought them

To where it was bright.

When there was thunder

That frightened them

We held them close

So our heartbeat would calm them.

When they got bigger

And wise and bolder,

It worried us when they

Didn’t come home

When it grew darker.

And then they took journeys

On their own

Because we taught them

To be worthy for others,

To be for the common good.

Our nights were restless

With thoughts of them.

But we trust the roads

They’ve taken and

Homes that took them in

Away from danger.

Now it’s too dark to see

And our hearts are heavy,

Their absence pierces

So sharply

We weep in agony.

But the search is far and wide

And we are mothers

Keeping our lights on,

Flashing the brightest

Of hope that can reach

The dimmest corner.

We weep in the direst

Of moments but

Steel ourselves to

Defy the shadows.

We pray as the child in us

Once prayed for the best wish

We could ever have.

They must find their

Way back to us,

And be soothed with

The beating of our hearts.

Paniniwala

Ni Benito Tiamzon

Ang linyang nagbubukod ay siya ring nagdudugtong.

Ang nakatuturol na guhit na nagbibigay hanggan

at hugis sa lahat ang umpisa at dulo

ng inaalam na kahulugan.

Ngunit ang linyang nakapangyayari ay usbong,

Tanda din lamang ng mga bagay, ugnayan at proseso.

Ito ay umpisang iniresulta at gaya ng lahat

may sarili niyang oras.

Hangal ang sumasamba sa tatag ng namamayani

Sa walang-hanggang pagkakahati ng banal at sala

sa taas ng pader na naghihiwalay

sa tinatanggap at itinataboy.

Ang nagnanaknak na hapdi ng mga tinatapakan

ay asidong uuksa sa pinakamatibas na moog.

Lalamunin ng apoy sa parang ang lahat ng sagwil

at bibigyang-daan ang bagong simula.

Walang tigil, kumukulo ang kaibuturan ng mundo.

–26 Mayo 2014

Dukot

ni Ibarra Banaag

Tuwing may naglalahong bigla,

napapaos maging hibla ng salita,

at paghinga’y di na maulinigan,

bakas ang takot sa sinakmal.

Langitngit ng kawayang sahig,

kaluskos ng may maiitim na balak,

pagmamanman sa bawat galaw,

sa siwang ng gulanit na dingding.

‘Di sapat ang kumot para ikubli,

katawan at putla ng panginginig,

duguang banig na saksi sa papag,

ang bantay sa ungol ng magdamag.

Walang ligtas na oras at lugar,

matao man o banal na altar,

walang pangingimi at pinipili,

ang utos ng maiitim na budhi.

Kabi-kabila ang mga pagtatangka,

pagdukot at iligal na pagkukulong,

walang puknat sa panliligalig,

nagbabakasaling sila’y mapatahimik.

Datapuwat g’ano man mapanganib,

kahit pa ang balde sa dugo’y tigib,

hatid ng kamay na siyang kumikitil,

ang mga Juan mas piniling tumindig!

Diwang mapanlaba’y nag-uumapaw,

nagsisikhay na talunin ang magdamag,

sa gayon pagsikat ng araw sa umaga,

nakaluhod ang mga mapagsamantala!

–Abril 16, 2023

Akala mo’y libre…

Ni George Tumaob Calaor

walang libreng sakay…

sa piniga nilang sobra-sobrang buwis

matagal mo na yang binayaran

mula sa iyong pinagpawisa’t kinayod ng paguran

sobrang bayad na ang mga iyan.

Teka nga…

Sinong ayaw sa modernong sasakyan

kung ito ay hindi nakasasagasa

sa hanapbuhay at kabuhayan…

sino ang mag-aayaw sa kumbinyente’t

magarang unit para sa kapakanan

ng mga komyuter na pinagsiserbisyuhan…

kung ito ay biyaheng hatid ay patas na sagana

at ang ruta ay pangkaunlaran—makabayan.

Ngunit sa itong iskemang mapanggantso’t

Martial Law na isinusubo—prangkesa’y ipinasusuko

sa hatol ng mga malalaking lokal

at kakutsabang dayong paluhod na kinakatigan…

modernisasyong halaga’y milyon milyong

lagpas sa kakayahan ng mga ordinaryong tsuper

at maliliit na operator na kukurampot ang kinikita

karamihan ay humahabol sa mga bayarin

at utang na sakay sa tubuan…

ito ay isang busina ng permanente pagpaparada

sa garahe ng kabangkaroteha’t kawalan…

biktimang paharurot na sinunggaban

sa monopolistang pakanang

mas malupit pa sa hit and run.

Kung Bakit ko Naaalala si Ka Joma Habang Nanonood ng K-Drama*

Ni Joi Barrios

Tulad ng marami, ako’y nahumaling na rin

sa panonood ng K-drama.

Sunod-sunod bawat episode,

hanggang sa magwakas, ang seryeng palabas.

Ngunit ewan ko ba, kung bakit minsan,

kapag may linyang binibigkas ang tauhan,

ang naaalala, ay dili’t iba

kundi siya, ang dakilang si Ka Joma.

Tulad sa Crash Landing on You, halimbawa

kung saan, hindi halimaw

ang mga nasa sosyalistang bansa,

kundi tao din lamang.

At sa Dong Yi (pronounced Dong Ya)

nang sinabi ng bida, na ang mga alipin ay itinulak

sa hangganan, kung kaya’t nag-aklas.

O sa When Our Love Blooms:

dumaan man ang mga dekada,

ay hindi bumitiw ang aktibistang piyanista

sa ipinaglalaban ng mga manggagawa.

Katatapos ko lang ng Bridal Mask,

at habang tino-torture ang minor character,

malapit mang matigok ay sukat pang nangahas magsalita

na ang tunay na terorista,

ay ang mga nagnanakaw sa bayan. 

At dito, sa Capital Scandal na ngayo’y sinusundan,

ganito ang usapan:

Tanong: Bakit ka pa nagbabasa ng tungkol sa sosyalismo at kasarinlan?

Ako, ang gusto ko lang ay ipagtanggol ang aking mga minamahal.

Sagot: Iyan mismo. Ganyan ang sosyalismo.

Ganyan ang pakikipaglaban para sa kasarinlan.

Natutunan namin sa iyo

ang maghangad na maging tulad ni Atorni Woo:

ano man ang kapansanan at pagkukulang,

ay nagsisikap pa ring mag-ambag

tungo sa pagkamit ng katarungan.

Maaalala ka, lagi’t lagi,

lalo namin na iyong mga tagahanga, at tagahanga ng K-drama.

Sa K-drama, naaalala ang batang ako (back to me ba?), na nagbabasa, 

pinag-aaralan ang mga akda ni Ka Joma,

na noo’y ipinagbabawal,  

kung kaya’t hindi nailalabas sa aklatan.

Yumao ka man, Tito Joe, aming Ka Joma,

ay hindi lilisan ang iyong pamana.

Maaalala ka sa bawat martsa, sa bawat labanan,

sa bawat sandali ng patuloy na paglilingkod sa masa.

Mananatili kang tanglaw ng aming pakikibaka.

*Nasulat para sa interpretasyon ni Bibeth Orteza sa tulong ng mga kasama ng kani-kanilang paboritong K-drama.

REPORTS: Acosta and Jimenez stabbed, hacked

Churches, groups demand impartial investigation on the death of celebrated poet and peasant organizer

The National Democratic Front in Negros (NDF-Negros) said peace talks consultant and celebrated poet Ericson Acosta and peasant organizer Joseph Jimenez have been stabbed and hacked, further belying military claims the two were casualties in a running gun battle in Kabankalan City last November 30.

NDF-Negros spokesperson Bayani Obrero said soldiers of the 94th and 47th infantry battalions of the Philippine Army first strafed the house were Acosta and Jimenez have taken shelter to rest before dawn yesterday.

They were then “taken forcefully and then ‘salvaged’ (summarily killed),” Obrero added.

READ: NDF-Negros: Military murdered peace consultant-poet Ericson Acosta

Quoting the Jimenez family, Obrero said Acosta and Jimenez “have indications that they were stabbed and hacked.”

In a separate statement, human rights group Karapatan said initial reports by its local chapter in Negros indicate that Acosta and Jimenez were captured alive as of 2 a.m. of November 30, 2022 in Sitio Makilo, Barangay Camansi but were tagged hours later by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as casualties in a “fake encounter.”

“Residents also said that the bodies of the two bore stab wounds. Acosta was also said to be recuperating from illness in the said community,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

NDF-Negros said the deaths of Acosta and Jimenez “raised the number of fake encounters in Negros under the [Ferdinand] Marcos Jr regime to 14.”

The group added that Jimenez was the 7th farmer killed in the island by state forces since July 2022.

“All peasant killings were notably declared by state forces as ‘encounters’,” Obrero said.

The house where the two victims were taken belongs to a Ronald Francisco, who was also taken by the soldiers to the 47th IB headquarters, along with his wife and three children, NDF-Negros said.

Francisco’s family could not contact them while the local police station dismissed their requests for a blotter report, it added.

In its announcement last Wednesday, the 94th IB claimed Acosta and Jimenez were part of a 10-man New People’s Army (NPA) team that engaged government soldiers in two separate fire fights in two sites that are 100 meters apart.

The military added that the “encounters” happened within 15 minutes of each other.

‘Impartial investigation’

Church and civil society leaders however called for an impartial and independent investigation of the incident in light of reports that the victims were captured alive before declared dead by the military hours later.

“In light of this information, as well as the numerous cases in the past of such fabricated stories to cover up acts of summary execution, Pilgrims for Peace calls for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by both the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines), so that an impartial investigation may be conducted,” they said.

“We also call on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to undertake the same. If found that the reports of the extrajudicial killing of Acosta and his companion by the military are true, the AFP must be taken to task for this abomination, which is part and parcel of a militaristic, ‘take-no-prisoners’ approach to the long running armed conflict with the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA,” the group added.

The group’s statement was signed by Iglesia Filipina Independiente Obispo Maximo Rhee Timbang, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and representatives of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the Episcopal Church of the Philippines, the Promotion of Church Peoples’ Response, Kapatirang Simbahan Para sa Bayan and the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.

They were joined by the groups ACT for Peace, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Karapatan, Gabriela, and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers.

Farmers’ group Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) also condemned the deaths of Acosta and Jimenez as well as the abduction of the Francisco family, saying the military may have violated the International Humanitarian Law.

“Maituturing na krimeng pandigma o ‘war crime’ ang pananakit sa mga sibilyan at pagsalakay sa kanilang tahanan, at maski mga armadong rebelde ay maling maltratuhin bilang ‘prisoners of war’ sakaling madakip,” UMA said.

(Hurting civilians and attacking their home is considered a war crime, even maltreating armed rebels when they have already been captured.)

In its separate statement, Karapatan also called on the government to surface the Francisco family. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

POEMS FOR THE MARTYRED POET

Like red ink spilling

For Ericson Acosta

By Rebecca K. Lawson

Like red ink spilling

from a leaking pen,

an indelible stain spreads

onto the war-torn tapestry

of this nation.

We brace ourselves

for the price of struggle

and the pain of loss.

The gentle

offer themselves

in hopes for better tomorrows

for those poor and oppressed.

Their feet pound mountain heights

even as their pens scribble

our collective dreams for social justice

and tangibles for meaningful reforms

that will benefit the toiling majority.

And when a nimble pen

and brilliant heart

is felled by a fascist evil,

the earth shakes.

We are awakened once more

that peacebuilding

is an urgent task, for tyranny, militarism,

and cold-blooded violations

of human rights

and international humanitarian law

must not be allowed

to have the last word.

We go on!

-30 November 2022


Narinig niyo na ba?

Ni Ibarra Banaag

Narinig niyo na ba,

Ang kanyang mga tula

at kanta?

Nahulaan niyo na ba,

Saan hinango ang linya

at himig nito?

Naramdaman niyo ba,

ang lalim at talas

ng pahimakas?

Nabasa niyo na ba,

mga akdang pawang

makamasa?

Nataros niyo na ba,

makauring himaymay

ng bawat tudla?

Namulat ka na ba,

sa taglay na linyang masa at paksa?

Kasama bang nasawi,

ang talastas niyang

walang kupas?

Ang kanyang mga likha,

ng kanyang pagsanib sa aba,

Mula sa landas,

na bibihira ang bumabagtas.

Makamit lamang, isang buhay na may dangal.

Ang pangalan niya,

ay Ericson Acosta,

Kadre,

makata,

mandirigma.

-30 November 2022


DEATH IN THE MORNING

By Pablo Tariman

One more time

You rewind another life

Gone at fifty

With just his poems

For his only son to peruse

As last mementoes.

No more time to grieve

The container of sadness is dry

From previous year’s constant grief

You have rehearsed this before

Going to a roomful of dead people

And identifying your loved one

And then you bring him

To nearest crematorium

To later settle in an urn

Of memories.

There is no time

For bitterness

Or rancor.

They have chosen

Another way to live

And reach their ideal

Fighting

For the hungry

And the oppressed

And constantly coping

With well-funded

Lackeys of war.

A day before his death

He was talking about

Seeing a doctor

For his recurring ailment.

Alas

He didn’t make it

To his doctor’s appointment.

From what I heard

He was arrested alive

And later riddled with bullets

Typical of dogs of war.

His son expected

To see his father

In detention

For a last hug and embrace.

But early morning

Of a fateful Thursday

He is gone.

Like the way he saw

His mother for the last time

Lifeless on a cold stretcher

In a morgue

In the shadow of Mt. Silay.

I can only rewind

Fifty years of his life

And forty two years

Of my daughter’s life.

Am figuring out his grave:

Should I bury him

Beside my daughter’s crypt

Or beside his father’s tomb

In another town?

I am airport-bound

Once more

For last appointment

With the departed.

I have come to terms

With this life

As I have lived it.

Happy my loved ones

Have come to terms

With dying

The brave way


Mula kay Ericson, Para kay Ericson

Ni Kislap Alitaptap

Ito ang pagsanib ng kaba

Sa lupang magaspang

At pagsiyasat sa kaluskusan ng mga dahon

Ito ang marahang tapik sa balikat

Ang tingin na may pagtitiyak

Ito ang buntong-hininga

Habang nasa likod ang araw ng umaga

Isang minutong katahimikan

Ngayon na ang katuparan

Ang bugso ng balaraw

Ang paglikha ng balang-araw.

-30 November 2022


Death of a poet

Ni Xian Patricio

tila tubig na dumadaloy

ang mga tulang ibinuhos

ng inyong pawis at luha.

Nag-iiwan ng bakas,

at umuukit sa lupa

upang hanapin ang kaniyang landas.

Mananatili sa isang panahon

para bumuo ng lawa,

hanggang humukay nang malalim

at magbuo ng mundong may búhay.

Ngunit minsang umapaw,

kasabay ng mga nauna pang pag-agos,

mahahagilap din niya ang sarili

sa mga patubig ng sakahan,

sa tubig inumin,

sa mga esterong nanlilimahid,

hanggang sa dumaop ang mga salita

sa karagatan, at yayakapin

ng libu-libong isdang nabubuhay,

at maipapasa ang mga tula

sa susunod pang laksa

habang mayroon pang umaagos

sa batis.

mamatay man ang bukal

ng tubig ng inyong mga salita,

nakapagpabuhay na ito,

at sila na ang bahalang magpadaloy.


Limasingko

Ni Khavn dela Cruz

limasingko limasingko limasingko limasingko limasingko

limasingko ang buhay sa bayan ko

dito magtungo para pasabugin ang bungo

para wasakin ang puso

limasin ang dugo

umaasa ang berdugo

na sa pagkalabit ng gatilyo

maglalaho ang mga kataga at konsepto

bawal magsalita

huwag magsabi ng totoo

tumahimik

manahimik

mag-ingay

huwag magpalamon sa bangungot na bumabalot

sa araw-araw na humihiyaw

tungkol sa katiwalian, karahasan, katangahan

ano nga ba ang napapala ng mamamatay-tao?

buhay na walang-hanggan?

trabaho lang?

bakit sila kailangang puksain

parang ipis at daga ang turing?

percy lapid

kerima tariman

eman lacaba

at marami pang iba

bakit napakarami nila sa munting bayan ko?

ngayong araw, pinanganak si bonifacio

ngayong araw, pinatay si ericson acosta

mabuhay ang pilipinas nating wazak!


Hindi magagapi

Ni Arnold Padilla

Kunin man nila ang ating mga ina at ama

di magiging ulila ang ating mga anak

sa tahanang ilaw ang pakikibaka

haliging matatag ang kilusan ng masa.

Kunin man nila ang ating mga makata

di pupurol ang talas ng ating dila

ang diwang hinasa ng kanilang taludtod

tabak na papatid sa kaisipang iginapos.

Kunin man nila ang ating mga mandirigma

di hihinahon ang apoy ng gera sa nayon

sa lupang kinamkam ng mga diyos-diyosan

titindig ang mga bagong kawal ng bayan.

-December 1, 2022


Hindi Ko Kilala

Ni Aida CF Santos

Hindi ko kilala si Ericson Acosta

o ang kanyang asawa na si Kerima

ilang dekada ang pagitan

ng aming henerasyon

ngunit hindi naiiba

ang mga layunin ng pag-aalsa

o pagsulat ng mga tula at awit

ng kuyom na mga kamao

mahigpit ang tangan sa paniniwalang may bukas

na maaliwalas ang pamana nila sa anak na si Emman at libong tulad niya

Binabasa ko ang kanilang maiikling talambuhay

ang mga tulang hindi na nila mabibigkas o maririnig nilang bibigkasin ng mga kaibigan

at kasama, ng masa

na humanga sa kanilang kabayanihan

iginupo ng mga bala at itak

ng mga traydor sa bayan

Kinilala ko sila

at ang pusod ng puso ng

pakikidigma

ang pulso na may tibok

ng paniniwala

taos ang panghihinayang

taos ang galit sa dibdib

taos ang tulo ng mga luha

taos ang pagsaludo

sa apoy na magdadala muli

sa mga abo na pinagmulan

ilang Ericson at Kerima pa

ilang henerasyon pa

– 6 Disyembre 2022


Moving On

By Pablo Tariman

We are done

With grieving

And wiping away

Persistent grief

Like my grandson

Who let it all fall

Where it should

On a street corner

Where his parents used to tread

Along the hollowed street of Mendiola

What were those tears for?

He expected to reunite

With dear father

In a detention cell

And perhaps strum

Their guitars together

For the last time

The next thing he knew

His father was arrested

In the hinterlands of Kabankalan

Then made to do a few turns

With his companion

Only to meet their imminent death

In a sudden rain of bullets

And bolos tearing away

At their skin

Months back

I always request

Massenet’s Meditation

To remember

My late daughter

Now it is time

For that soulful music

To remember his father

I always ask my grandson

To seat with me in rehearsals

While Massenet’s Meditation

Floats eerily

In the auditorium

Surely

Music has a way with grief

Perhaps it is a good way

To confront death

Perhaps the gentle way?

I don’t know

How my grandson feels

Letting the music

Come to his psyche

With yet another death

In the family

Now tell me

How should music metamorphose

Into balm

For our weary spirit?

Perhaps music

Can guide us

Into the periphery of acceptance

Even if the labyrinth

Is oozing

With excruciating pain

It is quiet and humid

In that angry street

With ominous graffiti

Shouting justice

For my grandson’s father

I did carry that urn

With his mother a year ago

Now I am torn with grief

Seeing him

Carrying his father’s ashes.

Is it

Time to move on

And fly on the wings

Of song

And remembrance?

7 December 2022

* * *


Negros Redux

By Pablo Tariman

It is suddenly quiet

And eerie in my garden

I figure out my potted trees

Tall and almost reaching out

To lampposts

On this deserted street

Where I live

I look for

My share of solace

In the garden

As grandson

Finally came home

After seven days

Of travelling

From Manila to Silay

And Bacolod

And on to a barrio

In Kabankalan

We have questions

In our mind:

Why did they embalm body

Without knowledge

Of family

And without death certificate?

We decided not to be too nosy

About legal procedures;

In this part of the country

It is dangerous

To ask too many questions

The funeral parlor

Is teeming with

Men in uniform

Moving about

And looking scary

While sniffing visitors

Like trained police dogs

The funeral parlor owner

Is a character straight

From Hitchcock horror films

He is Christian pastor

On special days

And traffic officer by day

At night he is funeral parlor owner

And taking notes

Of the dead coming in

For embalming

Some corpses

Are special

As they are

Heavily escorted by

Police and military

In the dead of night

We figure out:

Do military men

And funeral parlor owners

Run big business

Out of victims

Of vicious killings?

Meanwhile

My grandson’s father

Is reduced

To an airline cargo

After getting assorted permits

From barangay demigods

To city hall executives

And health officers

And final permit to transport body

From Bacolod to Manila

Back in the city

We cremate the body

And given proper

Religious ritual

For the dead

From the funeral parlor

After cremation

And on to this final wake

Grandson has to be present

To deliver his final tribute

To his late father

It has occurred to me:

Is this how poets die

In this country

Ravaged by storms

And earthquakes

And constantly

Reeling from scams

As police officers

And assorted public servants

Are caught with their dirty

Fingers in the proverbial

Cookie jar of corruption

They kill poets and cultural workers

And torture the families

With assorted permits

Before they could see

Bodies of their loved ones

Contrast this with thieves

And serial killers

Given heroes’ funeral

Negros

Is a lesson on living

And surviving

And coming to terms

With sad realities

In this benighted land

I open my grandson’s room

And see a tired and solitary figure

Finally deep in slumber

After another sad chapter

In his young life

-8 December 2022