Kagabii diha
sa nayunyon tang higdaan
sinalipdan sa nagya-yang tabil sa tamboanon
mihagawhaw kag sugyot sa sinayon
nga mangikyas kita sa baybayon
diin ang dila sa hangin maparatparat
dayon sa dagat kita manglayat
manginhas' kasag un tamala nga makilaw
didto sa landing sa lubi diin walay kisaw
magtiniil kita, sumala ba. sa init nga balas
bisan kon tan-awon mora nya tag ihalas.
Pagkalalim ba nyor niadtong imong dibuho
sa naandan ta niadtong ang plete sa baroto
dili ba sa likod sa dakong bato didto -
Apan yuna, kinsa man diay ang mopakatulog
sa mga anak tang hubakon, ug kon simbako may sunog
kinsang silingana kayha ang kanila motuhol
asa mosuot-suot dili intawon madedbol?
Dinhi na lang ta sa barungbarong mangawat
manursi sa gugmang buhi pa bisag nagkabayat,
Bason pag ang gipangadyian tang ginoong gagmay
maluoy nga sa nagkiat mong ubo makabantay
ug tagan-an ka nilag bisan diyotayng semento
nga ikatabon-tabon unya sa naupaw mong ulo
didto sa daplin sa imo pinangitang baybayon
diin sa kataposan ang damgo hinaot makapadayon.
To the Shore (Translation)
Last night in our old bed
veiled from outside by the drooping window curtains
you whispered suggesting casually
that we escape to the shore
where the wind's tongue is a bit salty
then we should dive to the sea
beach comb for crab and baby octopus to eat raw
under the quiet shade of the coconut tree
barefoot both, why not, on the hot sand
even if we'd look utterly provincial.
How delicious Sir, is that picture you draw
of our usual day when the fare was affordable
wasn't it there behind that big rock where -
But wait, who'll put to sleep
Our asthmatic kids, and if, heaven forbid, there's fire
Who's the neighbor to show them
Where to pass so they don't perish?
Here let's stay put in our small hut, thriftily
mending a love that's alive though weather-beaten
Hopefully the small gods we've been praying to
Will take pity when they hear your rollicking cough
And reserve for you some amount of cement
That can then cover your balding head
There by your elusive shore
Where at last your dream can continue.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Erlinda Kintanar-Alburo, director
of the Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos in Cebu
City.
