“Ang Maisisilid sa Bulsa” (Eugene Evasco)

What Can Be Stored in a Pocket

Our yellowing photographs;
Petals of ylang-ylang;
Wilted leaves of santan;
Three sticky bottle caps;
And a rusted nail bolt.
Bus tickets stuck together;
A brittle letter, torn and tattered;
Postage stamps,
Unused;
And filched songhits.
Worn pencil, cigarette butts
Filthy towel (crusted with sweat)
A scandalous pen
Faded ribbons from a recent gift.
Dusty calling cards, picture of Nora
A foul-smelling wallet, a folded palanca
Tear-stained handkerchief
Soiled.

I cannot store you
In my pocket.




     TRANSLATED FROM FILIPINO