7.2 Earthquake in my country of birth

Ang Gising na Lupa

 
Isang igkas ng kaibuturan
nitong lupang tinutuntungan
at magsusugat ang mga bundok
magnanaknak.

Lalamunin ng ilog
ang mga dating hangganan,
alingawngaw ng pagbabagong
iglap lang sa kasaysayan.

At tayo na matatag
kung matatag ang kinatatayuan,
magugunitang kay rupok
ng hibla nating hinahabi.

Nakatitig sa atin ang gising
na lupa, dinidilaan ng ilog
ang mga paa nating
walang sapin.

-o-

This poem appears in my collection BAHA-BAHAGDANG KARUPUKAN (shortlisted for the National Book Award in the Philippines)

The Earth Awake

 
One thrust from the depths
of this ground we stand on
and the mountains bleed,
gape open.

The river will sprawl
where it was once edged,
echoes of changes
that are but a second in history.

And we who stand firm
when we stand on firm ground,
remember the fragile
threads we weave.

The earth, awake, stares
at us, the river
licks at our
bare feet.

-o-

7.2 Earthquake news from Inquirer News

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