S’ya na nan nai-ingsaa ay il-ilan
Sin kaage-agew
Babbabai’y nang-isisiklang is gamig
Malanoy di menputputlongan is tali
Wennu menpatpatan is bulbulong.
Si Inhabian ay mangsipsip-uy as paypay
Nipapadong sin pag-abe-an na
Nangibabaod is dagem
Mangsuksukat sin turong di lemlem.
Mendadawes nan mata sin sinasagang
Adi menyuyuko wennu men-iila’s det-a
Menleleteg nan dolig, masisiwat nan padanga
Kateg nen-aagto’s ubi’y nalalabba
Wennu banga’y napapay-an si danum.
Nentatapis ay bababasang
Is menpatengaan di gayadan
Mak’neg nan mentatakdegan
Maid’nge nan enda kanan,
Maiwaned.
Pictures on a Wall
This is what we’re used to
Seeing, on ordinary days
Women with bolos strapped to their waists
Unsheathing and cutting ties in one swift motion
Or clipping reeds along a path.
Inhabian blowing away hand fans
Secured with her backstrap loom
Leashing the wind
And commanding the direction of the storm.
Eyes staring straight into the camera
Head or eyes not lowered
Spine aligned, chin leveled
As if carrying on the head a basketful of camote
Or a jar filled with water.
Ladies wearing tapis,
Whichever the hems measure
They stand firm
And hold the space around them,
Respected.
