silyang bato

after three years, i make my way back to this cavite rockies with squidward. i was hoping i would be in fitter condition. willpower will do.

i came home

i came home with stuttered feet
seemingly clambering for rooted ground,
walking from one bus to another tolled by gin and sachet tea
washed by red beer ~ slip on graveled streets
in lamp~lighted corners
one morning
moments
before
the sun outside saw
the burning inside me
throw a stupor
of sleep.

i came home
and fast on my bed
dreaming.

noodle doodle

be a fool no more

utter foolishness that you still continue to grovel,

it was your vision blinded by a kindness you felt was necessary
to indicate what could not have been possible
and feasible
in six weeks and a week more.

thankless you carefully bait one word after another
to complete.

it is needless. for in a day you can finish what could really be possible
and feasible
in six weeks and no more.

let not your freedom suffer.
in two days, be, leave, and in freedom grow.

post-dinner send-off

send-off

seeing boats

i

in short lapses, my mind inevitably takes me to places where it wishes to stay and simply live for a while... to stretch out the blubber that has accumulated over time, to think unconditionally, and to resolve the various affairs of the heart. recently, i managed to sort out a somehow familiar fishing place for one of those envisioned escapes. maybe sail out to that yonder sea, forgetting that i do fear vast seas and oceans, or simply watch the sun rise and set and she should be with me...

but all i see now are fishing boats, and nets, and lamps.

from cliff to the waters

it is


because i want to leap into the unknown,
be it later, tomorrow, or next year's morn
i know i will find myself newly born

bq bottle clutter

a water buffalo ride

almost there

rural

i noticed the clouds were coming low, touching
rolling mountain passes,
across lowland trees and ricefields,
soaring over humble houses and sun-burnt workers of harvest lands.

for a momentary shade and shower from the high noon sun,
lowlands smiled.