Siniad-Siad Nga Kaeangitan
(Strips of Heavens)
ni
Melchor F. Cichon
February 7, 2010
This is a book of haiku in progress
Introduction
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Summer
summer--
his departure strips my heart
fiber by fiber
***May 18, 2014
Tabtabon Naton
Tay, tabtabon naton
ro mga hilamon nga nagabueabod
sa atong kurae
Let’s Cut Down
Father, let us cut down
the grasses that entwine
in our fence
Kunta
kunta
gaeupad-eupad ka’t libre
sa harden ko alibangbang
Hopefully
hopefully
you freely fly
in my garden butterfly
Kaeanasan
kaeanasan--
mahumok nga bagoe
it kuhoe
Rice Fields
rice fields—
soft shell
of a snail
Gabot nga Buesa
gabot nga buesa—
naghiyum eon lang ako
sa nagapangalimos nga Ati
Holed Pocket
holed pocket
I just smile
to the begging Ati
Adlaw Sa Among Baeay
pagkatapos it uean—
pinihakpihak nga adlaw
sa sueod ku among baeay
Sun In Our House
after the rain—
sliced sun
inside our house
Alibangbang
alibangbang
sa nagakaeunot
nga mga daho’t narra
Butterfly
butterfly
on the rotting narra
leaves
Ay, Gali!
ay gali!—
kon adlaw , boarding house
kon gabii, kasa
Really!
really!—
on daytime, a boarding house
in the evening, a brothel
Tag-aeani
tag-aeani—
paandam
sa paeaabuton nga super bagyo
Harvest Time
harvest time—
warning
on a coming super typhoon
Mataeum Nga Tueok
landslide sa Brgy. Guinsaugan
mataeum nga tueok ku owak
sa kaparehong owak
Sharp Look
landslide in Brgy Guinsaugan
a sharp look from a crow
to another crow
Ormoc, Leyte
Ormoc, Leyte—
nagaeutaw nga mga troso sa karsada
kaibahan ku mga bangkay
Ormoc, Leyte
Ormoc, Leyte
floating logs in the street
along with human bodies
Landslide
pagkatapos it uean—
gin-eunok ku nagdue-os nga eugta
ro mga panaghoy it Brgy Guinsaugan
Landslide
after the rain—
the landslide engulfs
the dreams of Brgy Guinsaugan
Bagyong Kaloy
Bagyong Kaloy—
ginapanumdum ni Pinoy
ro nagubang tulay sa Nanga
Typhoon Caloy
Typhoon Caloy—
Pinoy remembers
the broken bridge in Nanga
Gulping Uean
gulping uean
gulpi man nga ginbaha
ro karsada
Sudden Rain
sudden rain
a sudden flood
in the street
Barangay Guinsaugan
Barangay Guinsaugan
gulping gin-eunok ro mga pamaeay
it landslide
Barangay Guinsaugan
Barangay Guinsaugan
suddenly, landslide
engulfs the houses
Gin-eunok It Eugta
Pebrero 2006—
gin-eunok it eugta
ro bilog nga eskuylaha’t Guinsaugan
Engulfs by Earth
February 2006—
the earth engulfs
the whole school in Guinsaugan
Bayawas
tig-aeani—
tatlong unga gakabit-kabit
sa mga sanga’t bayawas
Guava
harvest time—
three children cling
to the guava branches
Balyena
hapon—
nagdagsa sa baybay
ro may ninang balyena
Whale
afternoon—
a wounded whale washes out
at the shore
Billboard
gatunod ro pihak nga buean—
ginakungkung ni Juan ra unga
sa ibabaw it higanteng billboard
Billboard
setting half moon—
Juan carries his child
atop a giant billboard
Tower
hapon—
ginriple ni Kagawad
ro unga sa ibabaw it tower
Tower
afternoon--
Kagawad fires a rifle
at a young man atop the tower
Bisperas It Bag-ong Dag-on
Bisperas it Bag-ong Dag-on
nanago sa idaeum it kama
rang Japanese Spitz
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve
my Japanese Spitz
hides under my bed
Brown-out I
brown- out
maski ro daho’t saging
nagpahimuyong
Brown-out-I
brown out
even the banana leaves
stand still
Bugas Sa Kalye
puting buean—
ginapueot ni Tatay ro nagakalhit
nga bugas sa kalye
Rice Grains in the Street
white moon—
Tatay picks up
the scattered rice grains in the street
Buko’t Magueang
buko’t magueang
ana akong ginpapanumdum
permi eang nga eab-as
Not Old
not old
he reminds me
just fresh always
Kaadlawan
kaadlawan—
ginpabaskug pa gid
ro tunog ku andang karaoke
Birthday
birthday—
they amplify
the sound of their karaoke
Buto’t Balat
samtang gahaeabuya’t eutay
ro mga amo sa kongreso
buto’t balat rang buesa
Bone and Skin
while the congressmen
throw mud at each other
my pocket is bone and skin
Call Center
Call Center—
baliskad ro adlaw
ni Vanessa
Call Center
Call Center—
Vanessa’s day
is upside down
Dati Asaw-Asaw
dati, asaw-asaw eang
makaron, bunok
pangaywang pagkita
Before, Only Drizzles
before, only drizzles
now, hard rain
the second meeting
Dominggo’t Hapon
Dominggo’t hapon--
gintabug it guard si Ambong Ati
paguwa’t geyt it mall
Sunday Afternoon
Sunday afternoon--
a guard drives out Ambong Ati
out of the mall
Eatayan
sa pihak it eatayan
may eatayan pa gid –
tao eang kon maeatayan ko pa
Bridge
beyond the bridge
another bridge
I don’t know if I can pass through it
Eon Man
nagawagayway eon man
ro mga pueang bandera
sa Edsa
Once Again
again the red flag
waves
at Edsa
Flower Horn
flower horn—
ginhaw-as sa tangke
ginsueod sa aquarium
Flower Horn
flower horn—
from the pond
to the aquarium
Handong
sikaeum—
gintabunan king handong
ring eawas
Shadow
shadow—
your shadow
covers your body
Indi Mahawag
lamok, indi mahawag
rang pagsampae kimo
imaw rang hugot nga pagmahae
Don’t Worry
mosquito, don’t worry
my slapping
is my earnest love to you
Itum nga Eamang
itum nga eamang
gakabitkabit sa anang eawa—
ginatinueok it eaki
Black Spider
black spider
clings to its web
a man looks at it
Golf Course
Golf course—
perming berde
ro eanas, perming daeag
Golf Course
golf course--
always green
rice fields, always brown
Kabituonan
ugsad—
ingko asin kaintok nga mga bituon
sa nagahumbakhumbak nga tubi
Stars
full moon—
salt grain sizes stars
in a rippling water
Kalibo
Kalibo—
usok
hari it karsada
Kalibo
Kalibo—
smoke rules
the streets
Kanyon It Tubi
ro kanyon it tubi
sa Mendiola Bridge
tagok sa Pasig
Water Canon
water canon
in Mendiola Bridge
a sap of Pasig
Katueondan
katueondan—
si Flor nag-uli halin sa Singapore
sa sueod it kahon
Dusk
dusk—
Flor goes home from Singapore
in a box
Kiboe Sa Paead Ko
tag-uean
kiboe
sa paead ko sa pag-inarado
Callous in my Palm
rainy season—
callous
in my palm from plowing
Libacao Falls
tag-ilinit
ro Libacao Falls
gapinaypay kakon
Libacao Fall
summer
Libacao Falls
keeps on waving her hand at me
Ligum-Dueom
ligum-dueom
gulping napaeong ro kingke
sa eangbon ni Lolo Itsong
Total Darkness
total darkness
suddenly the kerosene lamp puts off
at Lolo Itsong’s nipa hut
Linog
linog—
nagsaylo sa ibang rosas
ro alibangbang
Earthquake
earthquake—
a butterfly
transfers to the other flower
Lovebirds
lovebirds sa hawla—
naglisu ra ueo sa pihak
pagkabati kang panihoe
Lovebirds
caged lovebirds
they turn their heads to the other side
when they hear my voice
Managob
managob —
may nagsinggit
“Inaway! Guwa ro maisog!”
Deep Night
deep night—
somebody shouts
“Fight! Come out those who are brave!
Mayad Ka Pa
mayad ka pa puting buean
makita ka
buko’t pareho ku mga bituon
Better of You
better of you white moon
you can be seen
unlike the stars
Madangga Nga Hapon
madangga nga hapon—
ro eagiik ku rocking chair
ni Lolo Itsong
Warm Afternoon
warm afternoon—
the wreaking sound of Lolo Itsong’s
rocking chair
Kahapunanon
madanggang kahapunanon—
naghueag eang ro daho’t saging
pag-agi’t trisikol
Twilight
warm twilight—
banana leaves move only
when the tricycle passes by
Manipis Nga Kagueangan
manipis nga kagueangan
naganipis ro boses
ku agila
Thin Forest
thin forest
faint voice
of an eagle
Mendiola
Mendiola—
ginapaligsan ka eon ma’t
mga bombero
Mendiola
Mendiola—
again the firefighter
gives you a bath
Morning Glory
gabueabod
sa barbed wire nga pensa
ro bueak it morning glory
Morning Glory
morning glory bloosom
entwines
in the barbed wire fence
Mt. Diwaldiwal
gainabu ro krus
sa sabak
it Mt. Diwaldiwal
Mt. Diwaldiwal
crosses multiply
at the foot
of Mt. Diwaldiwal
Nadusmo Si Inday
sikaeum—
nadusmo si Inday
sa Baybay it Boracay
Inday Falls Down
dusk—
Inday falls down
at Boracay Beach
Nahueog Nga Mansanas
sikaeum—
ginpueot it kargador
ro nahueog nga mansanas
Fallen Apple
dusk—
a porter picks up
a fallen apple
Owa’t Dawi
dominggo’t hapon—
nag-uli si Tatay
nga owa’t dawi
No Catch
Sunday afternoon—
Tatay goes home
without any catch
Owa Eo’t Anwang
owa eo’t anwang
nga makutuhan
it taeabong
No More Carabao
no more carabao
for the heron
to pick lice
Owa’t Tuba
owa’t tuba,
owa’t sigarilyo
nagakanta man gihapon si Lolo
No Coconut Dondy
no coconut dondy,
no cigarette
Lolo still sings
Daean Sa Kagueanga’t Libacao
daean sa kagueanga’t Libacao --
gabaeakang
ro naeukang botong
Road To Libacao’s Forest
road to Libacao’s forest
fallen bamboo
blocks the way
Uean Sa Hunyo
paghueaw it bunok—
ro kaeangitan hay naeagpit
sa kwartong tueogan namon
June Rain
after the hard rain—
the skies are trapped
in our living room
Pagkatapos It Ilabas
pagkatapos it ilabas—
owa naduyog rang ayam
sa anang hawla
After Launch
after launch—
my dog did not feel sleepy
in its cage
Pagkahueaw It Bunok
pagkahueaw it bunok
ro paea nagsaka
sa ibabaw it dahon
After the Heavy Rain
after the heavy rain
the red ant
climbs on top of a leaf
Naghapon Ro Owak
naghapon ro owak
sa surab it talibong—
Adlaw it Trabahador
Crow Rests
crow rests
on the cutting edge of talibong—
Labor Day
Pagtakeas Sa Bukid it Antique
tag-init—
ro hugom ku Rafflesia
una pa gihapon sa anang paino-ino
Scaling Antique’s Mountain
summer—
Rafflesia’s scent
lingers in his mind
Paskwa
Paskwa—
napuno’t plastic ag karton
ro karito ni Juan
Christmas
Christmas—
plastics and cartoons fill up
Juan’s cart
Pinabay-ang Eatayan
pinabay-ang Mendiola Bridge—
ro gabinalikbalik nga ugayong
ku natumbang raleyista
Abandoned Bridge
abandoned Mendiola Bridge--
the returning wailing
of a fallen rallyist
Puting Buean
puting buean sa Maeara—
maeamig nga hangin
ag ro primero natong haru
White Moon
white moon at Maeara—
cool wind
and our first kiss
Puting Salampati
sa Edsa—
nahueog ro puting salampati
sa Edsa Shrine
White Dove
at Edsa—
white dove falls
at Edsa Shrine
Queen of the Night
tungang gabii—
amat-amat nga nagbuskad
ro Queen of the Night
Queen of the Night
midnight—
slowly the Queen of the Night
blooms
Ro Kanyugan
Boracay
ginpangtapan ro kanyugan
para sa mga hotel ag restaurant
The Coconut Plantation
Boracay
flattened coconut plantation
for the hotels and restaurants
Sa Among Kwarto
sa among kwarto—
nagapahuway man ro lamok
sa sueod ku among muskitero
Inside Our rom
inside our room--
a mosquito also rests
inside our mosquito net
Sa Geyt It Ultra
Sabado’t agahon—
naeunot ro mga handum ni Maria
sa geyt it Ultra
At Ultra’s Gate
Saturday morning—
Maria’s dream crushes
at Ultra’s Gate
Sa Ibabaw It Mt. Apo
sa ibabaw it Mt. Apo—
gaeapnaag nga mga plastic bag
ag bukas nga lata
Atop Mt. Apo
atop Mt. Apo—
scattered plastic bags
and opened cans
Sa Ibabaw It Tulay
sa ibabaw it tulay
gatueok ro estudyanteng Koreano
sa maitum nga suba’t Iloilo
Above The Bridge
above the bridge
a Korean student looks
at the black Iloilo River
Sa Kagang It Sampaguita
kagang it Sampaguita—
madasig ro pagkamang
ku hamtik
At Sampaguita’s Twig
Sampaguita’s twig--
a black ant
crawls fast
Sa Saeod
sa saeod
ro kada tueo it tuba
may rebolusyon
Inside A Saeod
inside a saeod
for every drop of tuba
a revolution
Sa Sampaguita Garden
sa Sampaguita Garden—
owa gaeupad ro mga alibangbang
sa andang hawla
At Sampaguita Garden
at Sampaguita Garden—
the butterflies do not fly
inside their cage
Sa Tunga’t Kalye
Dominggo’t hapon—
gahampang it basketbol
ro mga unga sa tunga’t kalye
At The Middle of the Street
Sunday afternoon—
children play basketball
at the middle of the street
Salikaeum
salikaeum—
daeag nga hangin
sa idaeum it pakpak it taeabong
Dusk
dusk—
the brown air
below the heron’s wings
Simuyaw
ginapugaan ni Gloria it simuyaw
ra ay Juang daang nina—
bag-ong ugsad
Philippine Lemon
Gloria squeezes lemon juice
at Juan’s old wound—
new full moon
Siniad-Siad Nga Kaeangitan
salampati sa hawla—
siniad-siad nga kaeangitan
sa chicken wire
Strips of Heavens
caged dove —
strips of heavens
through the chicken wire
Taeagbasan
taeagbasan—
ham-at permi ka
nga madaeum?
Rice Bin
rice bin—
why are you always
deep?
Tag-Init
tag-init—
gapangaypay
ro mga plastic sa pangpang it Akean
Summer
summer—
the plastic at Aklan River bank
waves at me
Tag-ueoean
tag-ueoean—
sangkakutsarang silak
halin sa agahon hasta sa pagsikaeum
Rainy Season
rainy season—
a spoonful of sunshine
from morning to dusk
Talipapa It Droga
Dominggo’t hapon—
madasig ro bakeanan
sa talipapa’t drogang maeapit sa munisipyo
Illegal Drug Store
Sunday afternoon—
brisk sale of illegal drugs
at the store near the municipal hall
Tinubang Saging
tinubang saging—
ro gabantay nga amo
ginabantaya’t amo
Chopped Down Banana Tree
chopped down banana tree
another monkey watches
the watcher monkey
Tong-it
madangga nga hapon—
sa idaeum it mangga
gatong-it ro mga nanay
Tong-It
warm afternoon—
under the mango tree
mothers play tong-it
Trabaho
trabaho—
pagtaob ag paghunas
it eawod
Work
work
the high and the low tide
of the sea
Tungang-Gabii
tungang-gabii—
ro eaking unga gapakalimos
sa baybayon it Boracay
Midnight
midnight—
a boy begs
at Boracay beach
Tunog It Landslide
pagkatapos it linog—
indi eon ako makatueog
tunog it landslide
Landslide Sound
After the earthquake—
I cannot sleep
the sound of landslide
Ugsad
ugsad—
indi eon kita makita
sa idaeum it Iloilo River
Full Moon
full moon—
I can no longer see you
under the Iloilo River
Dominggo’t Hapon
Dominggo’t hapon—
mga tueo’t dugo sa bueangan
ro habilin eon lang sa Texas ni Mayor
Sunday Afternoon
Sunday afternoon--
drops of blood on the cockpit
all that remain of his Texas
Kahapunanon
kahapunanon
indi gid magrellebo
si Anaiza maski kinse minuto ang
Late Afternoon
late afternoon
Anaiza refuses to relieve her colleague
even just for 15 minutes
Sa Yuhum Mo
bangud sa yuhum mo
halipatan ko
rang tinumkang nga tagipusuon
Your Smile
because of your smile
I forget
my pounded heart
Baeangaw
gatan-aw it baeangaw
sa ibabaw ku isaea pa nga baeangaw
sa rayang agahon
Rainbow
viewing a rainbow
over another rainbow
this morning
Eon Man
pangako
tulay
sa indi makita nga suba
Again
promise
bridge
over an invisible river
Ham-an
Inay, ham-at
pagkatapos it uean
owa magsilak ro adlaw?
Why
mother, after the rain,
why did the sun
fail to shine
Brown Out II
hapon—
pati ro tapu-tapu sa book shelves
nagduhong
Brown Out II
afternoon—
even the dust in the book shelves
keeps still
Kabayong Panggabii
kabayong panggabii—
ra handong
nagtabing sa handong ko
Night Mare
night mare---
its shadow
touches my shadow
Sa Baeay Ko
sa baeay ko—
ro lamok
ro gahari
In My House
in my house—
the mosquito
roles
Pakwan
pakwan—
nagbahoe ako
sa korte it kahon
Water Melon
water melon—
I grow
to the shape of a box
Biyahe
biyahe—
gasinunod ro gaeum
sa likod ko
Trip
trip—
shadow
keeps on following me
Pasig River
Pasig River—
ro kasag nga nakaeunok it grasa
ginkaon ko man
Pasig River
Pasig River—
I eat the blue crab
that drunk grease
Tun-og
agahon it tagmaeais—
gin-uyog it hangin
ro tun-og sa dahon it saging
Dew
morning of corn season—
the wind shakes
the dews at the banana leaf
Kapaeayan
kaeanasan--
sa tunga it kapaeayan
mga eanggam
Rice Field
rice field—
in the middle of the rice field
are rats
Pagbuteak
ro maestro nga buaya
indi maghalin
sa Suba it Pasig
Sunrise
the master crocodile
does not like to leave
the Pasig River
Tong-It,/sPan>
sige ro tong-itan
sige man ro binakae it beer
sa tindahan
Tong-It
tong-it
goes on
so is the buying of beer
Fiesta
fiesta—
ro lamesa
perming puno’t bisita
Fiesta
fiesta—
the dining table
is always full of visitors
Tapos it Fiesta
pagkatapos it fiesta—
balik sa galonggong
ag dayok
After the Fiesta
after the fiesta—
back to roundscad
and shrimp paste
May Gatas Pa
sikaeum—
may gatas pa ro bibig
ni Lolo Itsong
There’s Still Milk
dusk—
Lolo Itsong’s lips
still has milk
Tuba
tuba—
nagdapo ro mga
manogkanta sa eangbon namon
Tuba
tuba—
troubadours
come around in our nipa hut
August 15
naghinaba ro linya
ku manugwithdraw
it kwarta sa bangko
August 15
the line
of the bank withdrawers
lengthens
Ilang-Ilang
indi magbuhay
ring kahumot
hay bue-on man it Hapon
Ilang-Ilang
not long after this
the Japanese will also get
your fragrance
Agila
agila…
abu pa gihapon
nga amo
Eagle
eagle—
there are still enough
monkeys
Buksi Eon
Kathy…
buksi eon
ring briefcase
Open Now
Kathy…
open your briefcase
now
Sa Ulihi
sa anang ulihing pag-adyos
anang gin-aywan
ra kamatayon sa Bagumbayan
In His Last Farewell
in his Last Farewell
he left his death
in Bagumbayan
Ligbus
Hulyo-
pagkatapos it girab
ligbus
Mushroom
July—
after the lightning
mushrooms
Linti
linti—
nanago rang ayam
sa kwarto ko
Lightning
lightning—
my dog
hides in my room
Sa Pwertahan
sa pwertahan it katedral
nagalinya
ro gapakalimos
At the Door
At the cathedral’s doorsteps
beggars
line up
Owa’t Ligtas
skywalk—
sa kada level
may nagapakalimos
No Escape
skywalk—
every level
a beggar
Owa’t Sueod Nga Pugad
mga handum
nagpahuway
sa owa’t sueod nga pugad
Empty Nest
dreams
rest
in empty nest
Honeymoon
June Bride—
naghoneymoon anay
bag-o sanda nagpakasae
Honeymoon
June Bride—
after their honeymoon
they got married
Krus it Manduyog
gasiga ro Krus
sa ibabaw it Manduyog
Biernes Santo
Manduyog Cross
the cross
at Manduyog Hill shines--
Holy Friday
Maski Sa Hawla
maski sa hawla
ro lovebirds
sige ro andang pagkinanta
Even Inside the Cage
even inside the cage
lovebirds
continue to sing
Pawikan
pawikan—
indi magtangis, ginatos nga mga unga
ro matan-aw king alukaba
Turtle
don’t cry—
hundreds of children
will see your shell at the museum
Katre nga Kinamatyan
katre nga kinamatyan
ginhumead na ra mga paead
bag-o na ginpiyong ra mga mata
Deathbed
deathbed
he opens his palms
before he closes his eyes
Sa Pihak Ku Yuhum
sa pihak ku yuhum—
ro handong
it kahapon
Behind The Smile
behind the smile—
the shadow
of yesterday
Inay
Inay,
ham-at maeapuyot
ro baybayon
Mother
Mother,
why is the seashore
sticky?
Tig-aeani
tig-aeani—
ginlinas ni Nanay
ro alimatok
Harvest Time
harvest time—
Mother crushes the leech
under her feet
Sa Panamgo
sa panamgo—
ro mga rayalista
nag-uli nga maea ag owa’t bukoe
In the Dream
in the dream—
the rallyists
go home dry and without swell
Inanod Ro Gae-um
pagbut-eak it adlaw—
inanod it hangin
ro gae-um
Sweeps by the Wind
sunshine—
the wind sweeps
the cloud
Ay, saeamat
ay, saeamat—
nahugasan gid man it taob
ro mga baeas sa baybay
Thank You
thank you—
at last the high tide
cleans the sand in the shore
Baeas Sa Boracay
baeas sa Boracay—
nagasiga
sa kada kislap ku bituon
Sand of Boracay
sand of Boracay—
it sparkles
in every twinkle of the star
Bag-ong Dag-on
Bag-ong Dag-on
ginrebot ko
rang kumpyuter
New Year
New Year
I rebooted
my computer
Aninipot
brown-out
nagsueod ro aninipot
sa among baeay
Firefly
brown-out
a firefly
enters our house
Dominggo’t Agahon
Dominggo’t agahon—
ginakutkot ku ungang eaki
ro lahar nga nagtabon sa katedral
Sunday Morning
Sunday morning—
a boy digs in the lahar
that covers the cathedral
Edsa
Edsa—
ginbayaw ni Gabriela
ro koronang barbed wire
Edsa
Edsa—
Gabriela raises
the barbed wire crown
Fiesta
fiesta—
gindelete ko ro ibang icon
sa desktop ko
Fiesta
fiesta—
I delete some icons
in my desktop
Madueom Ro Palibot
madueom ro palibot—
ginsiad it linti
ro keangitan
Dark Surrounding
dark surrounding —
the lightning slices
the heavens
Sa Atong Kwarto
sa atong kwarto—
ro kahumot ku ilang-ilang
una pa gihapon
In Our Room
scent of Ilang-Ilang
still lingers
in our room
Brigada Eskwela
Katapusa’t Mayo--
ro mga pumueoyo nagasililhig
sa haeampangan it eskuylahan
School Brigade
end of May--
the residents sweep
the school playground’s debris
Adlaw Sa Among Baeay
pagkatapos it uean—
pihakpihak nga adlaw
sa sueod ku among baeay
Sun in Our House
after the rain—
slices of sun
inside our house
Kada Eak-ang
sa Mt. Everest—
sa kada eak-ang pasaka
kadaeag-an it Pilipino
Every Step
at Mt. Everest—
every step upward
a Filipino victory
Adlaw It Minatay
Adlaw it Minatay—
mga pantyon
ginatapuna’t mga hilamon
All Saints Day
All Saints Day—
pantheons
covered with weeds
Pagkatapos It Bagyo
pagkatapos it Bagyo Yoling
ginsilhig ni Nanay
ro mga dahon sa karsada
After the Typhoon
after Typhoon Yoling
Nanay sweeps the leaves
on the street
Ugang Pueang Rosas
ugang pueang rosas
sa tunga kang libro—
gatunod ro ugsad nga buean
Dried Red Rose
dried red rose
between the pages of a book—
setting full moon
Paskwa
sa rayang Paskwa
owa’t sueod rang lamesa
pero puno rang tagipusuon
Christmas
this Christmas
my table is empty
but my heart is full
Sa Bubungan It Mt. Everest
sa wakas!
natanum gid man ni Leo Oracion
ro bandera’t Pilipinas sa bubunga’t Mt. Everest
Atop Mr. Everest
at last!
Leo Oracion plants
Philippine flag atop Mt. Everest
Uli Eon, Tata Goloy
uli eon, Tata Goloy —
hakumpuni eon ni Sunflower
ro kanga
Go Home Now , Tata Goloy
go home now, Tata goloy—
SunflowR has already fixed
the cart
Baeangaw
gatan-aw it baeangaw
sa ibabaw
ku isaea pa nga baeangaw
Rainbow
watching a rainbow
on top of another
rainbow
Mano-A-Mano
Pacquiao-Larios Mano-A-Mano--
owa’t nagpaeupok
it pusil ku adlaw ngara
Mano-A-Mano
Pacquiao-Larios Mano-A-Mano—
nobody fires a gun
today
Matimgas Nga Uyas
Matimgas nga uyas
Bunga ku sakripesyo mo
Ag ikaw ro uhay
Full Grains
full grains
fruits of your sacrifices
and you are the stalk
Painting ni Amorsolo
painting ni Amorsolo
sa taga mansyon, kadungganan
sa taga-barong-barong, pangtakip-butas
Amorsolo’s Painting
Amorsolo’s painting
to those who live in mansions, an honor
to those who live in shanties, a covering
Botong
paghawod it botong ro adlaw naghayag
The Bamboo
the sun shines
when the bamboo
straightened
Bag-ong Dag-on
ginaagubayan
pauli it asawa
ra hilong nga bana
New Year
carefully, a wife holds
his drunk husband
towards home
Galimpyo
Lola—
anang ginasilhig
ro mga eawa sa anang eangbon
Keeping Her Nipa Hut
grandma—
sweeping away
cobwebs in her nipa hut
Pagkatapos It Paskwa
pagkaaga it Paskwa
ro mga karsada
nakapahuway sa mga tikang it tawo
After Christmas Day
the morning after Christmas—
the streets rest
from footprints
Mahanging Hapon
mahanging hapon
naghapon ro alibangbang
sa palda ni Lola Soriang
Windy Afternoon
windy afternoon
butterfly rests
on the shirt of Lola Soriang
Sa Rayang Agahon
sa raying agahon
krudo
sa Malampaya Sound
This Early Morning
this early morning--
oil spells
at Malampaya Sound
Gera
gera
sa kama ro haagyan
ni DH Ana sa Lebanon
War
DH Ana experiences
war in bed
in Lebanon
Sa Euyo Kang Asawa
sa euyo ni Pilma
maintok nga bituon
sa gahumbak-humak nga tubi’t Maeara
Beside My Wife
beside Pilma--
tiny stars
in a rippling water of Maeara
Isaeahanon sa Taytay Ridge
isaeahanon sa Taytay Ridge
ham-at buko’t perming
ugsad ro buean?
Alone in Taytay Ridge
alone at Taytay Ridge--
why is the moon
not always in full?
Obra
obra
ro hunas ag taub
sa eawod
Career
career--
the rising and the falling
of the tide
Pagkatapos it Baha
pagkatapos it baha—
linugaw ag sardines
para sa ilabas
After the Flood
after the flood—
porridge and sardines
for lunch
Kaueogot Nga Tig-ueoean
ro gapanago nga buean ag ako
kaueogot
nga tig-ueoean
The Hidden Moon and Me
the hidden moon and me
I hate this
rainy season
Mayon Volcano
Mayon Volcano—
ra baga nagpaperpekto
ku anang cone
Mayon Volcano
Mayon Volcano—
its fury
perfects its cone
Bangod Sa Lebanon Imaw
bangod sa Lebanon imaw
nagpanamgo eon lang ako
nga imaw man gihapon rang kahulid
Because She Is In Lebanon
because she is in Lebanon
I just dream
that she’s still my bed mate
Sa Anang Handong
sa anang handong
ro itum nga anay
gakamang
In Her Shadow
within her shadow
a black termite
crawls
Madueom nga Palibot
madueom nga palibot—
gapinilu-pilu
nga tubi’t eawod
Dark surrounding
dark surrounding
curling waves
of the sea
Nagtaas Ro Buwis
nagtaas ro buwis
nagtanas ro export
nagtaas man ro korapsyon
Increased Tax Collection
tax collection increases
exports increases
so does corruption
Kaeamay
kaeamay —
gabueongguan ro guyon
sa pinggan
Sugar
sugar--
ants bump each other
in the plate
Ginapingga Ni Ati
ginapingga ni Ati
ro eangit ag eugta—
madueom ro palibot
Ati Carries the Heavens
Ati shoulders the heavens
and the earth—
dark surrounding
Owa’t Ginhambae
owa’t ginhambae si Tatay
paghalin ko sa baeay—
pero puno it mensahe
No Message
Tatay said nothing
when I left—
but full of messages
Tueok Ni Tatay
tueok eang ni Tatay
mahipos
nga baey
50A
Tatay’s Look
Tatay’s one look
a quite
house
Airport
nagawagayway
ro mga bag-ong abot
nga mga OFW halin sa Lebanon
Airport
newly arrived OFW
from Lebanon
waves their hands
Nagnipis Ra Dueonggan
nagnipis ra dueonggan
sa pagkutaw sa tubi
it Lebanon
Thinning Ears
her ears become thinner
in wading
the waters of Lebanon
Tagasaw
nag-eapak ro tagasaw
sa eapak ko—
tigsinigwelas
The Red Ants
the red ant
steps on my footsteps--
sinigwilas season
Pamati
pamati--
ro hutik
it kagab-ihon
Listen
listen --‘
the whisper
of the night
Owa ma’t Problema
owa ma’t problema
kueang eang
ro humay ag suea
No Problem
no problem
except there’s not enough
rice and fish
Tig-ueoean
tig-ueoean—
kaueogot nga eamig
owa ka abi sa euyo ko
Rainy Season
rainy season—
irritating cold
because of your absence
Tanduay
Tanduay—
kon amat indi ko masayran
owa eon gali’t gatas rang unga
Tanduay
Tanduary--
at times I forget
my child has no more milk
Daho’t Mga Niyog
daho’t mga niyog
nagasaot
sa sangka direksyon eang
Coconut Leaves
coconut leaves
dance
In only one direction
Si Lola
Si Lola
gatabok sa karsada
nga hasta sa hawak ro baha
Lola
Lola
crosses the street
in a waist-deep water
Gabii nga Pagpueopamasyar
gabii nga pagpueopamasyar
ra paghipos
nagpapanaw kakon nga isaeahanon
Night Strolling
night strolling
her silence
makes me walk alone
Ro Ugsad
ugsad
nagguwa
ro magnobyo
Full Moon
full moon
lovers
come out
July
tag-ueuean—
owa’t sueod nga tubi
ro among banga
July
rainy season
our jar
has no drinking water
Morning Glory
galingling ro bueak
it morning glory
sa gabuteak nga adlaw
Morning Glory
morning glory’s blossom
peeps
at the breaking sun
Owa’t Streetlight
owa’t streetlight
owa man it houselight
sa baeay ni Panoy
No Streetlight
no streetlight
no light too
In Panoy’s house
Landslide sa Leyte
landslide sa Leyte—
nagflashed it V-sign
ro mga unga sa mga naga-agi nga sundalo
Landslide in Leyte
landslide in Leyte—
children flash V-sign
to the passing soldiers
Ginabayaw
ginabayaw
it mga Akeanon
ro kaeangitan
Holding Up
Aklanons
hold up
the skies
Oil Spill
oil spill—
ro kahumot
It eutong mangga
Oil Spill
oil spill—
the fragrance
of ripe mangoes
Manugpueot it Basura
eon man—
gahueat ro manugpueot
it garbage truck
Waste Pickers
again—
the waste pickers wait
for another garbage truck
Kaibahan si Pilma
kaibahan si Pilma
naghimo
kami’t ugsad nga buean
With Pilma Tonight
with Pilma tonight
we create
our full moon
Kabuhi sa Uling
ra ginframed nga uling
nagpaguwa’t
kabuhi
Life in Charcoal
her framed charcoal
brings out
her life
Arrival Area
sa streamer—
gaabi-abi si Pres. Arroyo
sa mga bag-ong baganihan
Arrival Area
on the streamer—
Pres. Arroyo welcomes
our new heroes
Tig-aeani
tig-aeani—
sa tunga it aeanyon
mga matambok nga eanggam
Harvest Time
harvest time—
amidst the golden rice
healthy rats
Oil Spill II
oil spill—
nag-itum
ro baybayon it Guimaras
Oil Spill II
oil spill
the shorelines of Guimaras
darken
Hinay-Hinay
Inanay—
ginpadueom it bunker oil
ro baybayon it Guimaras
Silently
silently
bunker oil darkens
Guimaras shorelines
Inaywan nga Kwentas
Ro silak nagtueok
Sa gin-abandonar nga kwentas—
Ro itum nga baybayon
Abandoned bracelet
sunshine looks at the
abandoned oil-coated bracelet—
the black shoreline
Nasunog Nga Baeay
nasunog nga baeay
gintig-isaisa ni Rona Mahilum
nga ilibre ra mga manghod
Burning House
burning house—
one after another
Rona Mahilum rescues her siblings
Oil Spill
oil spill
the shorelines of Guimaras
darken
Abandonado Nga Globe
gintueok
ku silak
sa abandonado nga grasahong globe
Abandoned Globe
the sunshine looks
at the abandoned
globe
Abuhon Nga Agosto
abuhon nga Agosto--
euha ro nagsunod
pagkatapos it oil spill
Bag-o
bag-o magtubo
ro paeay--
ro bagaas
Pagkatapos it Paglimpyo
pagkatapos it limpyo
ku baybayon it Guimaras
nagbaealik ro mga turista
Eati
ro mga trabahador sa oil spill
owa gid magreglamo sa pagpunas it mga dahon--
eati
Ro Gaagi Nga Daeaura
ro gaagi nga daeaura--
ginbuoe ni Tatay
ra anang tigawnan
Agahon
agahon--
ginpuna na
ra eaya
Oil Spill III
oil spill
namatay ro corals
nabuhi ro researchers
Oil Spill III
Oil spill—
The coral die
The researchers survive
Magaeumon nga Septembre
magaeumon nga Septembre
sa likod it anwang
nagtueo ro anang euha
Grey September
gray September
at carabao’s back
his tears fall
Abuhon Nga Agosto
abuhon nga Agosto—
euha ro nagsunod
pagkatapos it oil spill
Grey August
grey August—
tears follow
after the oil spill
Bag-o Magtubo
bag-o magtubo
ro paeay—
ro bagaas
Before
before the rice
can sprout—
grasses
Pagkatapos It Limpyo
pagkatapos it limpyo
ku baybayon it Guimaras
nagbaealik ro mga turista
After Cleaning
after cleaning
the shorelines of Guimaras
tourists return
Eati
ro mga trabahador sa oil spill
owa gid magreklamo sa pagpunas it mga dahon—
eati
New Moon
the oil-spilled worker
never complains of wiping leaves—
a new moon
Ro Gaagi nga Daeaura
Ro gaagi nga daeaura—
Ginbuoe ni Tatay
Ra anang tigawnan
Passing Clouds
passing clouds—
father gets back
his hook and line
Agahon
agahon--
ginpuna na
ra eaya
Morning
morning—
he mends
his fishing net
Kwarisma
Kwarisma—
Nagpunto si Seana
Agod humuton ro rosas
Summer—
Sean Marie stops
to smell the roses
Gahining-hining
gahining-hining
nga buwas-damlag
sa preska nga puting rosas
Shining
a shining dawn
glistens
on a fresh white rose
afternoon summer rain--
Back cover
THE POET
Melchor F. Cichon
He was born in Sta. Cruz, Lezo, Aklan on April 7, 1945. He is the youngest child of eight children of the late Desposoria Francisco and Jose N. Cichon of the same place. Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada calls him as the present leading Aklanon poet.
After finishing the elementary grades at Lezo Elementary School in Lezo, Aklan, he studied at the Mindanao Regional School of Fisheries in Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City. From there he went to U.P. Diliman to study fisheries. He continued his studies at Manuel L. Quezon University where he majored in library science and minored in English. He finished his Master in Library Science at U.P. Diliman with a fellowship grant from UNDP and his Master in Management at U.P. in the Visayas in Iloilo City. He took his Certificate in Governmental Management also at the U.P. in the Visayas.
He is married to the former Pilma Dollolasa of San Remigio, Antique with whom he has four children: Melchor, Jr., Vanessa, Ranel Vincent and Eugene.
The poet is now working as College Librarian at the College of Fisheries Library, U.P. in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo.
He attended the U.P.Miag-ao Summer Creative Writing Workshop, the Cultural Center of the Philippines-Liwayway Publication Creative Writing Workshop in Baguio City, the National Summer Creative Writing Workshop in Dumaguete City and the Third Iligan National Writers Workshop and Literature Teachers Conference in 1996. He represented Aklan in the 1995 and 1998 National Writers Assembly held in Intramuros, Manila.
Some of his poems have been published in Hiligaynon, Yuhum, Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Home Life, Ani, Philippine Collegian, Aklan Reporter, Philippine Panorama, Pagbutlak, Dagyaw, Bueabod, Banga, Patubas, Busay, and Media Watch. He won first prize in the first Home Life poetry contest in 1994. He is also the first Aklanon CCP grantee for Aklanon poetry in 1994. He edited Bueabod, the poetry journal of Aklan Literary Circle, together with John Barrios and Alex de Juan. He won third prize in the Sentro Ng Wikang Filipino, U.P. essay writing contest in 1994 and won second prize (Aklanon category) and third prize (Filipino category) in the 1994 All West Visayan Poetry Contest sponsored by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts. He won third prize in Hari/Hara Sang Binalaybay (King/Queen of Poetry) 1998 poetry contest sponsored by U.P. in the Visayas Sentro ng Wikang Filipino.
