I had this dream
where I walked in
on you erasing a
giant whiteboard
with every word
I'd ever spoken
to you ill-timed
or not and then
you were behind
glass and I was
watching you
as if you were
some kind of
museum
exhibit.

why
can't
I find
your
hands
in anything?

Salo-salo ang lahat:
Nakaupo, nakadekuwatro
Sa isang mahabang bangko.
Ayos lang
Kahit medyo masikip
At nagkikiskisan ang mga siko.

Ang mesa'y nilatagan
Ng dahon ng saging.
Bawal ang maarte;
Walang mga pinggan
At iba pang kagamitan.

Nakakamay ang lahat sa pagkain
Ng maiging inihaw
Na sariwang malaman na tilapia.
Meron ding mga gulay
Na pinakuluan at nilaga:
May kangkong,
Okra, sitaw at talong.

Samahan mo pa
Ng hiniwa at tinadtad na
Pulang sibuyas at kamatis,
Na may halong bagoong
At piga ng kalamansi.
At sa wakas, ang panghimagas:
Mga gintong mangga
Na ubod ng tamis.

.   .   .   .   .

Napapasarap
Ang pinakasimpleng handa
Samahan lang ng kuwentuhang
Nagpapasaya at nagpapatawa
At siyempre kung salo-salo
Ang buong pamilya.

this is not a false
happiness, my
pores open and
drink the sun

someday you'll know
how beautiful I think
you are even when I
hated you, (I remember)
how hurt you must have
been, and i know I've
apologized and I know
I haven't held your
hand in so long and
I know you cried in
my lap and I had
no idea what to do
I'm so sorry you
loved me then
I'm so sorry
you loved
me then.