Luggage by Rustum Casia

I remember the day you left.

We worked together, whole family,
to fill your luggage with hope.

It took three men to load it
into the rented jeep waiting outside.

That was how heavy it was.
A luggage-full of hope we packed.

The outlines of your children's feet
weren't even there yet.

Nor the pickled mangoes.
No space left.

But don't fret,
again, we will pack:

A country.

Not to receive your remains.
But to hand you

the outlines of your children's feet--
for shoes that you, yourself, will pick the color of,
that you, yourself, will lace on to their feet

when you come home

-Translated by Aris Remollino (with assistance from Rustum Casia, Emmanuel Halabaso, Pia Montalban, Orly Oboza, Gee Vargas Trio, Issa Purugganan, MJ Rafal, and Zen Remollino)

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Maleta
-Rustum Casia

Naalala ko yung araw na umalis ka.

Isang pamilya tayong nagtulong-tulong
punuin ng pag-asa ang iyong maleta.

Tatlong tao ang kinailangan para iakyat
sa naghihintay na inarkila nating jeep.

Ganun kabigat.
Ganun karami ang ating naempake.

Hindi pa kasama doon ang sukat ng paa
ng iyong mga anak.

Wala pa doon ang burong mangga.
Hindi na kasya.

Wag kang mag-alala.
Muli kaming mag-eempake:

Isang bansa.

Hindi para sunduin ang iyong bangkay.
Sa halip, aming ibibigay

ang sukat ng paa ng iyong anak-
para sa sapatos na ikaw mismo ang pipili ng kulay,
na ikaw mismo ang magsusuot at magsisintas

pag-uwi mo sa Pilipinas.