Metamorphosis
(by Tony Mercado Peña)
some parts of me i lost and shed
when i plucked you a thornless rosebud
and listening from what you have left unsaid
our communion was a mistake sanctified!
let this delicate secret settle and die
calmly to its terrestrial repose then i
to the next eternity will bravely seek
to forgive myself including yourself!
very soon i will be free enough
for these fast growing wings to flap
and fly me to a higher interlude
of space and time: the flesh is made Word!
“Metamorphosis” expresses a transition, a transitus between two eternities: from man’s terrestrial tenure as the alpha to his final celestial abode as the omega. The poem likewise impresses a translation from the mortal, physical and superficial to the eternal, ethereal and supernatural. Ultimately, the poem elevates man’s mortality (the flesh) to a higher level of being, to divinity (the Word).
Pampango translation:
Pamibayung Anyo
(neng Tony Mercado Peña)
kakung kalamanan wa mitalabu ya
kanitang nagtal ke ing buku ning rosa
matining dimdam ku ing piping-usal mu
pamisanmetung ta meging kasalanan
dapot kakambal ne ing kapatawaran!
paburyan mu ining maselan tang lihim
keti sulip magkera’t paynawang t’yimtim
kaybat angga king tutuking alang-anggan
masinup keng panintunan at tuntunan
patawad kanaku at keka mu naman!
e binang maglambat, lubus nakung m’kabyus
mabilis no sigpo malutub kung bagyus
king karinan matas sulapo da naku
king lawig at labwad: Katawan kung tau
……………………… magi yang Amanu!
BAYUNG PARADISO
