Edgar Calabia Samar

“Silipin mo ang buwan,”
Sabi mo, kahit pagal
Ang gabi, at nabuwal
Na puno itong hilam

Na damdamin. Bumagyo
Kanina: laksang multo
Ng alaala’t libong

Daluyong ng pagsamo

Ang sa aki’y yumanig.
Kahit ngayo’y tahimik
Na ang ulap, pilit
Kong dinungaw ang langit—

At wala nga, wala na:
Nagtago siyang gaya
Ng lupit ng pagsinta

Na takót masalanta.

(This poem was the title poem of the chapbook Isa Na Namang Pagtingala sa Buwan published by National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2005 as part of its inaugural Ubod New Authors Series. This was also included in the later poetry book, Pag-aabang sa Kundiman: Isang Tulambúhay, first published by ADMU ORP in 2006. Go to BOOKS to see all my books. Art work above is by Sean Sonsona. Please contact me if you want to include this poem in your textbook or anthology.)