GO ON BROTHER!

I made this poem on May 15, 2000 to convey my gratitude to my brother, Andro, who was a scholar at that time in Cyprus for his profession (Maritime Transportation). After his studies and trainings, he served as an apprentice for international ship navigation. During those times, I and my sister, Claire, were in college, and our two younger brothers; Brian was in high school, and Seth, the youngest was in elementary. Kuya together with Ate (a nurse) supported our parents (both teachers with meager income) for our schooling. Since I really had nothing to offer for my dear brother’s sacrifice, I composed a poem for him. Currently, He is a professional officer in-charge, and it is not impossible that someday; Kuya will become a ship captain.

I genuinely appreciate my beloved parents, my Ate and Kuya, and also my other three siblings for their efforts to make us proud to belong in our family. Claire now is a licensed pharmacist in the Philippines and is presently preparing for her licensure in the United States of America. Brian is trainee in an architectural firm and Seth is a graduating Information Technology student. Lastly, because of God’s blessing, I become a registered Physical Therapist in the Philippines and in Maryland, USA. Right now, my employer is working on my visa.

I can still reminisce when we were young

We have shared eminent laughter and fun

The quarrels and the wars were gone

They’d been memories under the sun

Mama’s enchanting lullabies and hymns

And Papa’s tales of noble knights and kings

Whispering voices and great joy, they bring

Perhaps, only remind us every spring

Now that you’ve gone far and miles away

Please don’t forget our yesterday

The crazy games we used to play

For in my pure heart they would stay

So, my dear brother, listen to this

It is your presence we truly miss

And if I’d be given an invaluable wish

It’s to become a child again to feel the bliss

Amidst the roaring storms and tide

Don’t be afraid, face it with pride

Lift up your head and never hide

For Jesus is there at your side

Whether it’s a bright lightning sparkling

Or a very loud thunder resounding

Don’t be bothered, continue praying

God is so good; he keeps on watching.

For if you cry our tears will flow

And when you’re glad our soul will glow

We will be there to let you know

How much we really love you so

For your sad defeat is ours too

And your success is ours; also.

If you fall, we’ll receive the blow

Because we care, that’s how we show

Go on and sail beneath the skies!

Extend your wings; learn how to fly

And when you reach the heavens, high

Give thanks to God, and glorify

Be brave move on, discover, and explore!

Direct your mighty ship to every shore

Your sufferings and endeavor

Surely, will grant a wider door.

My Translation and Modification of KIAMKO’S Pasayloa ug Hikalimti (Forgive and Forget): A Manner of Lamentation


Illusions only are all things,
Passing like smoke, that
No feelings will be entrenched.
Today is laughter, then
Tomorrow will be tears and sorrows.

Rusts only are all things,
In front of the Supreme,
On a fate which is ferocious,
Rusts only are all dreams…
Rusts only are all things…

Drown all things to forgetfulness of our golden chronicle.
Forgive and forget…
No matter how bitter if we carry out,
Because it was imposed to be written on our palms…
That predetermined both of us not to go on with our love.

an salmo san makalulu-oy

satjr. of Dimasalang


Sa tunga san kaduluman adi ako nagabakho,
Naga-agrangay, nagasiyak sa kasakit na dako.
Wara ako sin kaupod kundi sadiri na anino,
Wara man lang sin kabayaw sa kabug-at na pas-an ko.
An akon kamutangan isad na makalulu-oy,
Gintalikdan san mundo bagan tikamatay na kahoy.
Sa huna san kadamuan ako gayud uripon,
Wara kuno sin kantidad an akon kaugalingon.
An mata ko naghubag na sa wan udong na pag-tangis,.
An dughan ko nagpi-ot na kag baga na an nagnipis.
An kalag ko tikalupad na gayud sa panganoron,
Kay pagti-os na baktut-baktot, bagan di na kakayahon.
Nano ba kay may pag-ugtas didi sa aton kinab-an?
Di ba gayud mahimo na pirmi lang kalipayan?
Nano ba kay may luha tungod sa mga kapait?
Di ba pwede na puro lang paghiyom sa mga kanamit?
Nano ba kay mas damo sin tunok ini na buhay,
Kontra sa mga paglumpat sa kasadya kag kalipay?
Nano ba kay mas labaw an limba-ongon na agihan,
Kontra sa mahayahay kag trangkilo na dalan?
Nahangog na an utak ko san paniguron kaiisip,
Sani na mga bagay-bagay na sigen sinudip-sudip.
Nano man ba kay sugad sani? Nano man ba kay sugad sana?
Nano kay dili pwede ini? Nano kay dili pwede ina?
Sa kahidaluman sanin kontemplasyon,
Bumunok an uran, humarok sa akon.
Gin-anod ako sa lam-aw san kamunduan,
Nagpongak-pongak tawon kay waran matagalan.
Aduy!, an katugnaw dulot na sa akon bukog,
Kairo!, wara man lang sa tungod kon makakup-kop.
Nagkapa-kapa ako kag hapit na gayud malumos,
Kaya lang wa man sin makabulig sa akon tulos.
Apiki na gayud ako sa baba san kamalasan,
Nagahulat, naganga-nga tutunlon san kamatayan.
Aw nano man kay may tawo ako na nadumduman!,
Makabulig, makahatag sa akon sin kaligtasan.
Pumawa an kalibutan kag nakita ko Siya,
Ginhuyutan an kamot ko na maluya-luya na.
Ginkugos Niya ako kag gingakos sin maaayo,
Pinahidan an luha kag hinapuhap an bayhon ko.
Matam-is na nagtawa, humarok sa akon agtang,
Ginsabihan Niya ako na di ta ikaw papabay-an!
Adi Ako nagabantay sadto, yana, kag hasta na lang,
Idada-op an palad Ko san-o mo man kinahanglan.
Dili Ako magabag-o kay ungod an pagkamu-ot,
Abrihi lang an puso mo kag Ako magasulod.
Kaya ngani binaton Ko an pagpapako sa krus,
Kay gusto Ko kamo tanan sa kasal-an matubos.
An puso Ko nagalaad an kalu-oy sa iyo tanan,
Dili gayud mapaparong, wara inin kahumanan.
Sa Iya mga surmaton an isip ko na-abrihan,
Nabaton ko na an tanan didi sa duta may dahilan.
An pagpas-an gali san krus isad na paagi lang,
Na an pagtuod sumarig kag magbungan kaayuhan.
Amo ininn makabulong san tanan na kasakitan,
Nagagiya sa maliputok na porma san kalipayan.