He Who Sleeps on My Lap

by Ronald Baytan

My friend

who sleeps on my lap

loves someone else.

He says he is man 

and a man needs a woman

and I disagree.

We argue until he grows

tired of talking

and sleeps on my lap

on this chilly night.

And I sigh,

knowing he loves 

someone else 

but still sleeps

gently on my lap,

innocent not knowing 

that I am here

slaughtering

one wicked wish

that when he wakes up

I shall be his dream.

Medusa 

by Benilda Santos

Siya na nakapantalon

at mainit ang hininga

inihiga ako sa gilid ng mundo

at tiningnan ako nang tiningnan

hanggang sa mangalisag 

ang aking buhok

at sa matinding galit at takot

maging ahas ang bawat isa sa kanila

gutom na gutom

sa lasa ng laman

ng labing may pawis ng pagnanasa

hanggang sa madurog

ang aking puso

at sa di-mapatid na sakit at pait

maging buto ito

malamig na malamig ang pintig.

Ngayong lupang latag na latag na

ang aking katawan

sa ilalim ng malulupit mong talampakan

ikaw naman ang aking tiningnan nang tiningnan

hanggang sa matuyo ka

sa apoy ng aking mga mata

at sipsipin ng bawat ahas kong buhok

ang bawat patak ng dugo sa iyong mga ugat

at  masimot ang kaliit-liitang kutob ng buhay.

Namangha ka sa liyab ng aking higanti?

Ay! Ikaw ang guro't hari ko, Lalaki.

Bonsai

by Edith L. Tiempo

All that I love

I fold over once

And once again

And keep in a box 

Or a slit in a hollow post

Or in my shoe.

All that I love?

Why, yes, but for a moment--

And for all time, both.

Something that folds and keeps easy,

Son's note or Dad's one gaudy tie,

A roto picture of a queen,

A blue Indian shawl, even

A money bill.

It's utter sublimation,

A feat, this heart's control

Moment to moment

To scale all love down

To a cupped hand's size.

Till seashells are broken pieces

From God's own white teeth,

And life and love are real

Things you can run and

Breathless hand over

To merest child.