Senti September

Asan na, asan na,
Saya na minsang nadama?

Sa himpapawid, kasama ng ulap?
o naghihingalo sa lupa?

Asan na, asan na,
Saya na minsang nakasama?

Kaluluwa'y ulila mo,
Hanggang ngayon, naghihintay sa'yo.

Asan na, asan na,
Saya na hindi na makakapiling?

Wala na, wala na,
sawi na, patay na.

Ligaya ko sinta, umakyat na sa mga tala,
Hindi na makakasama, hindi na masisilayan.



(c) JC

The Dragon in the Sky

She watches her reflection on the window. Next station Pureza. She sees the dark outlines of buildings and homes. The Dragon passing them by, not minding their existence. 

Through the light of their windows, she gets a glimpse of their life. With the evening growing old, you see the people in their homes eating their dinner, watching tv, sharing the day's activities, and some have decided to end the day. They sleep, not minding the Dragon flying in the sky above. 

She looks and sees the streetlights sparkle, along with the cars' headlights. all rushing, wanting to go home. In the darkness, she is flying, riding in the belly of the flying Dragon in the sky. From this height, she flies away from her troubles, away from this world, and away from everyone. She almost feels free from the loneliness inside. Thrust into the world of silence and calm. The only comfort are the lights which continue to shine, showing the way, the way back home. 

She gazes once again at the face in the window. She sees a face, haunted by exhaustion under messy black hair. The eyes behind the thick glasses, full of wonder and sadness. A sadness so deep she cannot begin to cope. 

She wonders who she is, how the people there saw her. She looked at herself, and saw a writer. A writer flying in a Dragon through the darkness. Taking her home.

She saw the lights. The lights in the darkness was comfort to her. She saw them as friends who would not leave her. 

The Dragon announces the arrival at Anonas, as it slows to a stop. The writer gets off and watches the Dragon disappear into the night. Not to be seen until the break of light. 

She stayed for a moment before she walked away. And as she walked back to reality, she couldn't wait for the freedom which was, inside the Dragon's belly

(Written September 4, 2013 on a train ride home from Recto)