GUMIL Metro Manila

ni honor blanco cabie

“daddy, kung wala na ba kayo, babantayan mo kami?”
–army, contemplating the future

so softly like the evening breeze unseen
that bears the earthly scent of ripened grains,
or like the sun untouched that lights the plains
i’ll be around with mind and heart so keen.
you shall be strong and have no cause to fear
nor feel deceived in seasons mighty all,
you only have to close your eyes and call
our names in prayer and you will shed no tear.

through forests thick and underbrush, along
life’s twisted roads you’ll feel the silken kiss
of breeze that shall deny my absence felt,
and, dear, my faith is strong you won’t be wrong
in anything you’ll undertake, you bliss
is most deserved despite an ugly welt.

_________
moncada, tarlac (december 29-30, 1979)

BEYOND IMAGES (100 Selected Sonnets), page 6

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