PhotoHunt: Wrinkled

PANA-PANAHON

In Time

ni Sylvia S. Okada

(translated by ian)

Sa taglagas

In the Fall

ng ating pangarap

of our dreams

natuto tayong

we learned

tumiklop

to fold

at sumayaw

and dance

sa hanging

to the wind

kumakandong

cradling

sa ating paglipad.

our flight.

Hindi takot –

Unafraid -

dahil kung mahulog ma’y

because even if we fall

may sasalong

our descent will be cushioned

unan sa lupa,

by the earth

tinakpan,

blanketed,

pinalambot

softened

ng mga dahong

by other leaves

tulad nati’y

who like us

natutong bumitaw,

learned to let go,

tumiklop,

fold,

lumipad.

fly.

At mahulog.

And fall.

Found these roadside in Iligan City, as our team made a pitstop to eat durian in the Philippine summer of 2007. I didn't partake of the fruit because I devoured something better with my camera's lens. I pray that the ongoing conflict in this part of Southern Philippines gets resolved soon- so that more people will enjoy the multi-layered peaceful bounty currently being drowned by political noise, gunfire and fear.

Apologies and thanks to Ms Okada for using her poem and freely translating it.