Taklub* by Richard R. Gappi

There is a map of grief
in every gate.
On the door, like on eyelids,
there is a keen ray of light
a quiet visitor being admitted to a living room
that also serves as kitchen and bedroom.

On the surface of Cancabato,
a widow is fishing.

She stared at her father,
her sole remaining
family after Yolanda.
Her tears--bright as
fish dancing above water--
embroidered in the shelter
of a city once covered
in a surge of storms and endless rain.

-Translated by Aris Remollino
2014, November 2

*Taklub – cover

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Taklub
-Richard R. Gappi

May mapa ng dalamhati
ang bawat tarangkahan.
Ang pinto, tulad ng talukap,
ay may humihiwang sinag
tahimik na dalaw na pinapapasok sa sala
na tulugan din at kusina.

Ang nabalo, nasa rabaw
ng Cancabato, nangingisda.

Tinitigan niya ang Papa
na tanging natira na
kapamilya nang mag-Yolanda.
Magkasingkinang ang kanyang luha
at ang isdang pumupusag,
hinahayuma sa silong
ng lungsod minsang tinakluban
ng dulok at walang habas na ulan.#

-9:16am, Sabado, Nov. 1

Dulok - katumbas ng storm surge