Kasarian Week

By the Half-moon Driveway of the ICM House of Prayer

you can paint this sun-filled scene in viridian

   better yet drown it in a sea of ultramarine

throw in the marked pointedness of pine needles

   & shade the barks of trees with burnt sienna supreme

 

this rosebud here must have the blush of an infant's bottom

   that palm frond there can learn a lesson or two on stillness

as for that poinsettia petal, it wears too much lipstick

   bleed it some more till it yells "Pink!"

 

must the sky remain a cheery cerulean?

   can it not weep a moody indigo?

the twin cypresses cry with their prayerful branches

   can they not honeymoon by the hermitage instead?

 

what do you do when the words are not forthcoming?

   drain your mug of lukewarm coffee,

take twenty determined strides

   & step out into, onto, step on the garden.

 

-- Babeth Lolarga

 

First published in Baguio Calligraphy, edited by Francis C. Macansantos and Luchie B. Maranan (Anvil Publishing, Inc.), 2010.

 

Photos of Baguio by Babeth 

Women in black plus white

Group photo in lieu of curtain call

The blogger gives the thumbs up in praise of the performance of members of the Baguio Writers Group last night at the ghost story-telling hour at the Hill Station bar in Baguio where the werewolves, vampires, even the Star Wars characters were out in full force. From left are Baboo Mondoñedo, Desiree Caluza, Merci Javier Dulawan, Nonnette Bennett whom we couldn't figure out if she came as the Virgin Mary or the White Lady of Loakan and BWG president Luchie B. Maranan.Photos by Laarni Ilagan

Day in a Life in Baguio

“what if a much of a witch of a wind”
& here e.e. cummings lies
on a bed of iceberg lettuce
laced with dewdrops
coming fresh from la la La Trinidad trading post

& “summer’s lie” is that
concrete pine
where a rosy rotunda
used to stand
a sight for sorest eyes

the truth being
no greater life is lived
than here in highland coffee farms
where armies of ants
are extinguished
where Seattle’s Best folded up,
undistinguished,
& Starbucks continues to rake it in

give me Benguet coffee
or euthanize me!

--Babeth Lolarga

first published in the anthology Baguio Calligraphy , Francis C. Macansantos and Luchie B. Maranan, eds., Anvil Publishing, 2010.

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