From Alternative Prosaicnesses: First Poems
published by Down With Grundy, Publisher
(now Banana-Cue Books, Publisher)

The Prostitute

 

In the long way of saying it, although
          it's flowery on the chest
Your sinning upon the tolling of
My snout, I am yet the
Humble one, I, I am the oppressor
Who deserves to fight at the depths of
Shame, for you were the one who gave
          offerings,
You were the one who received my valor
That all judgments drown, o love.

In the short way of saying it, though
          broken, even so.

 

 

An Hustis

 

Ha harayo nga pulong, bisan marampag
                     ha dughan
An pagmakasasala mo ha bagting
Han ak' simod, ako la gihapon an
Mapainubsanon, ako, ako an madarahug
Nga 'say naangay makigbisog ha lawod
Han kaarawdan, kay ikaw an naghalad,
Ikaw an kinmarawat han ak' kamaisog
Nga malunod an ngatanan nga paghusga,
                     o gugma.

Ha halipot nga pulong, bisan buong,
                     bisan.

 

*Bisan buong, bisan alludes to the local Samar-Leyte call of the roaming magbobote (buyer of used bottles).

 

 

-- Samar-Leyte (Waray language) translation by VISV and Ophelia Miralles

 

Copyright © 1999, 2001 Vicente-Ignacio Soria de Veyra. All rights reserved. Readers are welcome to view, save, file and print out single copies of this webpage for their personal use. No reproduction, display, performance, multiple copy, transmission, or distribution of the work herein, or any excerpt, adaptation, abridgment or translation of same, may be made without written permission from the author. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this work will be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

CLOSE WINDOW