Poetry:::July 12

by Jona Branzuela Bering

The books, read and unread, are occupying their space
in a box, either saying hello to each other or snubbing,
—Postmodernism is arrogant, said romanticism.
Or they will be arguing who is the best poet, fictionist
of all times, or arguing if —ism is necessary in pursuing art.
|And some will concede since they will not be conceived if not
Or some will argue since they should not have been labeled
As feminism, imagism, or magic realism.
And it will not be long, they will occupy
the same bookshelf, yet they will not be having
The same neighbors. Before, a James Joyce is flirting
With Marilyn Robinson, now she is befriending
Margaret Atwood, who, in the other hand, criticizes
Her second-characterized women. And the bookshelf
will be the witness of this changes and just silent
while listening to the awkward transient silence of the books.
And the books will realize, it is not the same room,
not the same smell, not the same paint, not the same perspective.
And outside, it is not the same address.
And they, the books and the bookshelf, will smile with her decision.


This is still a draft, which badly needs refinement.

Quoting:::Haruki Mura

Balak:::Ang Panagway aning Taknaa

ni Jona Branzuela Bering















Pangutana:

Nakaanhi na bay day ka aning taknaa

Sa dihang ang imong buhok nagkurtina

sa pikas nimong mata samtang nagbasa

Kag collected poems ni Emily Dickinson;

Sa dihang imong gihawi ang imomg buho;

Ug ninglabay ang nagtuwad nga bangaw

Sa imong ngabil ug dayong litok:

You cannot fold a flood

And put it in a drawer.

Tubag:

O nakaanhi nako aning taknaa,

pero lahi ang iyang panagway—

Ang mga pulong ni Emily nagsayaw-sayaw

sa tuno aning taknaa, ug nakigsayaw ko

ug wa ko kapugong, ningpahiyom

dayong litok:

You cannot fold a flood

And put it in a drawer.

Mao nay dagway aning taknaa

Og nanghinaot ko nga mahulagwayan

Nimo kini kay di magdugay ihimugso

Ang akong balak ug ikaw

Ang makadungog sa unang uha niini.

Balak:::Karpet

ni Jona Branzuela Bering

Ang nausik nga kape,

Gisawo sa karpet—

Inanay kining ningtuhop,

Niya, nauga

Apan ang lama

Ngpabilin