WHEN THE MUSE TURNED AWAY

The flow of the river ceases
the wave stops in the middle of the sea
the falling leaf freezes in mid-air
the eagle's song is silent.

While my finger
that is on my laptop waiting
for my command, stops to think.

We are all wishing
for the visit of the fickle
muse of emptiness.

I lift my heart
so that I can hear the bell
I close my eyes
So I can see the glory
I offer gold
together with a prayer.

But there is nothing I can write
Only a poem
that sheds tears.


*Poem is translated from Cebuano " SA DIHANG NANGLUOD ANG MUSA"
Picture is from Pagbalik/Homecoming movie stills

AGAINST THE SMART CRAB

When dusk slowly creeps
you stop moping about

then you put on the crown
that you stole from the whale

and when the boastful
and noisy thunder sleeps

you dig on my sand
and collect shells from the sea

and when i climb the tree
of the ghost free coconut

you pull on my skirt
to lay bare my butt

watch out with your bite
you, smart crab

for later I will boil you
and I will suck your spirit too.

Poem is translated from Cebuano " BATOK SA BANGIITANG KASAG"