oliver s. carlos

LIGALIG

Sa kawalang-halaga—
dito nananahan ang buhay. Maging ang kamatayan

Nakasiksik sa madidilim na sulok. Madalas
Kumakapit sa pihitan ng mga tarangkahan.
Upang balewalain lang. Kahit tingin di man lang tapunan.

Sinusulsi natin ang sapot ng sapantaha
Nilulubid ang mga gustong paniwalaan
tungkol sa ugnayan ng pangyayari at mga bagay
upang malaman na sa dakong huli
lahat, sayang lang.
Dahil di nila tayo naiintindihan.

Sa gitna ng sanga-sangang diskurso,
sa nag-uumpugang kaalaman,
Sa nag-aalab na balitaktakang
nagsimula sa bulong at ngayo'y nagiging mga sigaw,

mistula akong tumitiyad sa bloke ng manipis na yelo—
at sa kapirasong espasyong ito ng kawalang-katiyakan,
nagtatanong ako:
ano nga ba ang ginagawa ko rito?

—Posted: 9:30 AM 5/12/12 by eK! | Post Your Comment!

About the author. Oliver Carlos was born and grew up in the town of San Luis, Pampanga. He studied AB Political Science at the University of the East in Manila, but did not manage to finish it, not because of some difficulties, but rather because of his love of his country. He was kicked out of school because he spent most of his time in the streets with other nationalist youths, fighting against the rotten political system. He chose to stay in other people's houses and studied in the hinterlands with the poor farmers. In doing so, he met his future better half and companion in life. Now, he is one of the OFWs, trying his luck in foreign places to make both ends meet and to get his family out of poverty. Amidst all this, he keeps on looking back at his beloved country, especially his province, Pampanga.