Poetry&Stuffby
MARNE KILATES
MARNE
S
KRIPTS
from
Antinostalgia & the Tokhang
Rhapsodies
from
Antinostalgia & the Tokhang
Rhapsodies
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
from
Antinostalgia & the Tokhang
Rhapsodies
Poems 2022
Poems 2022
Poems 2022
Poems 2022
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
From Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon
From Journeys, Junctions
(a collection of travel poems)
The SEA Ghazals
These poems are my contribution to Beyond Borders, the anthology for the 35th Anniversary of the S.E.A. Write Awards, annual literary prize for Southeast Asian writers given by the Thai royalty. I received my award in 1988.
3. Asians the Museo del Prado
Madrid, 2003
A day’s layover is all we have, saved like a gift
To be spent at the Prado, a precious workday’s gift.
Traveling Asian friends part ways in the maze
Of Velasquezes, Goyas, Titians, Murillos―gifts
For eyes, hungry soul as cursed a figure of Bosch,
Painted in a corner of the triptych of oak, gift
Of an hour in its own alcove, where Earthly Delights
Is Hell itself, three panels of beauty: punishment is gift.
Perhaps another hour to contemplate Las Meninas,
The puzzles of perception, Velasquez’s gift.
Just one hour more for the Maja, vestida or desnuda,
Or the eyes of death in May, awaiting the bullet’s gift
Of a second life for famished souls laying over: wrapped
In matting, canvas, wood: time framing its gifts.
4. Garland: Sampaguita
Manila, 2012
Beads of white dew when they are buds. Pearls.
Stars when they open, petals as silken as Sulu pearl.
Sign seal for country newly free from Castilian boot
Or Thomasite book: Flor de Manila; Orient Pearl,
Garland for the Virgin, strung scent for the Magdalene,
And all saints wanting for adornment: our May Pearl.
Then and now, Chinese tea to soothe the old girl’s throat:
To banish young girl tears, these beads instead of pearls.
Pikake leis of hula girls, her cultivars Kampupot,
Tuscan Duke, Orleans Maid, jasmine rose: One Malay pearl.
Jasminium sambac, your heady scent rounds the globe,
From Sung Court to Sanskrit gardens: Champaka Pearl.
Sampaguita of our race, of the Himalayas, Asian southeast:
Sprung from one rib and twig, our Eden’s pearl.
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Marne Kilates