“To Long No More – Detach”

"Sitting Pretty"

“Sitting Pretty”

*This is the English translation of the Filipino poem I created and posted earlier which was entitled “Pag-iingat sa Pangungulila.” Never had an idea that translating a Filipino poem can be this challenging making sure I do not lose the essence of the original poem. I hope I translated it well.

P. S.

The photo I attached in this post reminded me to translate the Filipino poem – which is what I did just now. Two words entered my mind upon seeing the sitting boy: detached and languid. Thus, the title. 🙂

 

TO LONG NO MORE – DETACH

I saw in you,

Happiness that is true.

But not afterwards,

When turned were the cards.

Circumstances arise,

Painful was the price.

Why it could possibly be,

Turn out this bad to see?

Now you tremble,

Looking at the rubble.

Shed tears that flow,

Sadness begin to grow.

Beautiful days are gone,

Hoping more could be done.

But you had to let go,

Good things await by doing so.

A promise made,

Memories will fade.

Soon you will see,

The good in letting things be.

“Pag-iingat sa Pangungulila”

Photo credit: scoopboy.com

Photo credit: scoopboy.com

August is National Language Month here in the Philippines or what we commonly call as “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.” In line with the month-long celebration and as an artist and a poet, I have written a poem using our native language which is “Filipino.”

*Still working on the English translation. 🙂

PAG-IINGAT SA PANGUNGULILA

Isang malaking pag-aalinlangan,

Nang ika’y aking masilayan.

Napaisip ngunit nagbunyi,

Dahil ako’y tunay mong napangiti.

 

Ngunit pagkakataon ay dumating,

Na parang bumura sa bawat kong hiling.

Na ikaw ay aking makapiling,

Tila ba’y naging bituing walang ningning.

 

Marahil bugso lang ng damdamin,

Maya’t maya lilipas at mawawala din.

Ngunit ako’y nagkamali,

Nang araw ay lumipas, ako pa di’y nagtitimpi.

 

Ano pa nga ba’t nagkaganito?

Madalas na tanong sa sarili ko.

Naiwan ay alaalang kay tamis,

Ngunit may pait at kirot ding ‘di kanais nais.

 

Ito na ang pagdagsa ng damdamin,

Na pilit sa sarili kong inaamin.

Mawawala at mawawala din,

Hangga’t kayang tiisin.

 

Mabuti nang bumitaw,

Habang may sikat pa ang araw.

Liwanag ng kabataan,

Ikaw at ika’y masusundan.

 

Panibagong hamon, panibagong yugto.

Nasa akin ang damdaming hindi kailanma’y susuko.

Na harapin ang bukas ng may pananampalataya.

Ngingiti at ngingiti din at tuluyang lalaya.