WHEN I LEAVE

Switch off the lamp posts
that line
the laughing lane
of our road.
Switch on the radio
to close the conversation,
drown the cheers
that has long been gone.
Take the bottles
of wine from the table
and rip the tablecloth
that is still there.
Silence the dogs
in our yard
who are still waiting
for my footsteps.
Turn on the last song
and once again, wear the dress
that has seen our bliss.
Look for my words
when the sleeping dust
under our old bed, awakens
Forget the whispers
sprouting from sadness
And pour water
on the creeping fire
because the two of us
are now lost, in the thickets
of our jungle.
Fly away
together with the harvest
of all our nights
And don't forget-
Switch off the lights
of the lamp posts.

*picture is the author's own painting and poem is translated from Cebuano "Sa Akong Paglakaw"