Iihapon Ko

Photo: In Divinubo Island, Borongan E. Samar

Iihapon ko

ni Jhonil C. Bajado

Gin –ihap ko

Kon pira na nga huyop-huyop

An ak naukad ha tuna;

Sige an ira liniruliskad.

Gin-ihap ko

Kon pira na ka bantilis

An akon iginbadlis

Tikang han imo hipalis.

Gin-ihap ko

Kon pira na ka pitad

An ak ginlaktod ha pamiling ha imo.

Gin-iihap ko

Kon pira pa nga adlaw an malabay,

Kay siring mo man,

Ikaw la madaliay.

______________________

Translation by the Author

Counting

I counted the number of sand bugs

I have dug out from the earth;

They keep on wriggling.

I counted

The number of river stones

I used for marking

Your name on the sand.

I counted

The number of steps

I made to find you.

I am still counting

The days that have gone,

Because you promised,

You would be back in a little while.

(Original and Translation is published in Celebrations: Places and Spaces, edited by Christine Godinez-Ortega)