Tungkol saan kaya ang isusulat ko?
Dito sa papel at lapis na hawak ko?
Tungkol kaya ‘to sa kapaligiran ko?
O sa nararamdama’t karanasan ko?
Ngayon, nananatiling blangko si papel
Nakasulat palang itong si letrang “L”
Hayy ‘di pa naman tumutunog ‘tong si “bell”
Kaya gagamitin nalang muna si “cel”
At lumipas ang mahigit isang oras
Napansin ko, ako’y nagsayang ng oras!
Hayy nakoo! Bakit  dito  bilis mo oras?!
‘lam mo nang ayokong tumayo sa labas.
Nakoo ‘yan na si teacher [insert pangalan]!
Ay! Itago! Itago si “cel” bilisan!
Ibalik si papel! ‘tong lapis tasahan!
Para ‘di guilty mukha, boses lakasan!
Ay teka’ ba’t si teacher’  dito ang *****?
Parang umaapoy kanyang mga mata
Biglang kinabahan na parang ‘sang bata,
Hayy nakoo! Ako ata’y lagot nanaman!
Nahugot agad si “cel” sa pagalapit niya
At inilagay niya sa drawer ng mesa niya
Itong aking nararamdaman, ‘di kaya
Pawang nan’liliit’ sa labis na hiya.
Kaya kasama ulit si blangkong papel
Kasama narin ‘tong si tanging letra “L”
Ngunit ngayo’y ang lungkot’ wala na si “cel”
At saktong tumunog itong si lokong “bell”.

Steaming, pale pink, moments ago
these rosebuds were sleeping, dried, unfragrant.

Now, like a single paper flower that blossoms from within
its scrubbed clam shell, held together lightly, then opening slowly
in its requisite, tall, crystalline glass of water,
these tiny buds are softening, unfurling, reviving,
intoxicating me with this heady, womanly scent, and
moistening my face as I lean over this healing brew you sent for me.

Born of humans, linked to me by human blood and a shared, ancient selkie ancestry,
wise, beautiful, deep eyes, flowing dark hair, blessings pour forth from you
in all, and every moment, of your gentle, earnest, worshiping life.

Kinswoman to my open heart,
to our ceaseless inquiries into sacred mysteries,
your power to transform finds me
wherever I am.