Huling Harana. (A love poem by Khavn de la Cruz)

huling harana

Mahal Kita

Nang kumatok ka sa pinto ng mata ko, pinatuloy kita. At nakita mo ang lahat ng babaeng nakapiling ko. Tumalikod ka at nakita ang sarili mo, nakatayo sa malayo. Nang kumatok ka sa bintana ng isip ko, pinatuloy kita. At nalaman mo ang mga digmaang dumadaloy bawat araw-gabi ng buhay ko. Muntik ka nang tamaan ng tilamsik ng dugo ngunit nakaiwas ka. Nang kumatok ka sa puso ko, nandiri ka, dumikit ang kamao mo sa pulang kumunoy ng dibdib ko, nalulunod, pero paano kita sasagipin, O Sinta, kahihinga ko lang ng huli kong hininga sa walang-hanging silid ng buo mong pagkatao.
Paalam
Paano sasabihin ang salitang "paalam" nang walang luhang naririnig sa pag-usal? Paano ito sasabihin at sa pagbigkas makakalisang panatag? Paano sasabihin ang salitang ito nang hindi nangangarap magkikita pang muli? Paano sasabihin nang hindi nagsisinungaling? Paalam. Paalam. Paalam. Paalam. Paano sasabihin ang salitang "paalam" nang sa gayo'y wala nang kailangan pang sabihin?
Mahal Kita
Paano pumapasok, paano lumalabas sa buhay ng iba? May hindi ba alam na ibang lagusan? Mahal kita, mumurahing salita ng isang makata. Iniibig kita, patawad, may nainom akong kung anong likido, katutunaw lang ng dila ko, mata ko na ang nagsasalita, yakap ng bisig, halik ng labi, ano 'ka mo, itigil na natin ito? Huwag muna.

Translated by Mikael de Lara Co

final serenade

I Love You

When you knocked at the doors of my eyes, I let you in. And you saw all the women I have been with. You looked behind and saw yourself, standing far away. When you knocked at the window of my mind, I let you in. And you knew the wars that waged

each day and night in my life. The blood spray almost hit you, but you moved away just in time. When you knocked at my heart, you scowled in disgust, your fist stuck the red quicksand of my chest; and now it’s drowning but how do I save you, my Love? I have just breathed my last in the room of your self where there is no air.

Goodbye

How does one say the word “goodbye” without shedding a tear from saying it? How does one say it and leave in peace? How can one say this word without hoping to meet again? How does one say it without lying? Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. How does one say the word “goodbye” and not have to say anything else?

I Love You

How does one enter, how does one leave, the lives of others? Is there some other exit that we don’t know of? I love you, a poet’s cheap words. I love you, I’m sorry, I drank something strange and it melted my tongue, it is my eyes that speak to you now, embrace of arms, kiss of lips, what did you say, let’s this now? Not yet please.

[MC]