Tanka
he picks up
a half-empty soda
left on the curb
another day
of job hunting
wildflowers
viewing
can’t stop to think
of his wayward daughter
and the capriciousness
of her mother
spring
cleanup
for the third year
he still can't bear
to throw away
her love letters
alone
under
the willow tree
he rereads
her crumpled letter
of goodbye
I know now
why her embrace
was so tight
her last farewell
to fleeting life
he dreads
the dark demons
that inhabit his dreams
each night that passes by
in her absence
surrounded with love
of my children
this Father's day
I wish their Mom
is still here
their room
fills with silence
this All Souls day
even her unrocking
rocking chair
he roams
the rocky hills
in search of inner peace
which his world
cannot give
gathering storm
in the far horizon
she salutes her dad
and tearfully implores
come back home soon
Bilingual
Tanka
English
~ Tagalog
the
silent sound
of her absence
fills their room
only the echoes
of yesterday remain |
napuno ang kanilang
silid
ng tahimik na ugong
nang kanyang pagkawala
gunita ng kahapon
siya lang naiwan |
from a
distance
at the appointed time
I wait for your glance
to bask once more
in your smile |
sa abot ng tanaw
at takdang panahon
hintay ang sulyap mo
nang muling mamasdan
and iyong ngiti |
