Confessions

Ari ay:

(Isa ka Pag-ako)

Ari ay: Kabudlay magsulat.

Masugod sa wala, kag matapos

Man sa wala—Walay pulos

Ining pagpa-utwas. Luwas

Ipakita nga wala

Unod akon dughan,

Kubos akong dila.

Ara ay. May guinahambal

Inang mga tinaga.

Ining babayi, may guinahandum

Nga indi matapna.

Pamati bala.

Ang mga tinaga may buot silingon.

Ining babayi, ay! Salabayon.

***

Here:

(A Confession)

Here: It is difficult to write.

To begin with nothing, and end

With nothing—Worthless,

This utterance. Revealed

Only my heart, my mouth,

Their emptiness.

There. Those words

Are telling.

This girl, she dreams,

But nothing.

Hear this:

The words have meaning.

The girl—bah!—

Romanticizing.

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