Silence by Gonzalinho da Costa
I am quieted
when you are near
and I hear you speak
in the mouth of the wind blowing
soft incessant rain
scorpion hiddenly escaping in the grass
sprung branch suddenly letting go of fruit
rasping of iron on stone
transforming in prickly sunshine
and chill moonlight
when I delicately understand
iridescent
your inner heart.
English translation by Joseph I. B. Gonzales (Pen Name: Gonzalinho da Costa), January 25, 2013.
Poet’s Bio: Gonzalinho da Costa is the pen name of Joseph I. B. Gonzales, Ph.D. He teaches Methods of Research in Management, and Managerial Statistics at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Makati City, Philippines. He is a management research and communication consultant, and Managing Director of Technikos Consulting, Inc. A lover of world literature, he has completed three humanities degrees and writes poetry as a hobby.
The above English translation is of the original poem Tahimik by Dr. Brion (reprinted with permission from the author). The original version is given below-
TAHIMIK by Rofel G. Brion
Source: Antig, Issue No. 14 (December 2012), Philippines: Center for Ignatian Spirituality, p. 12.
Mananahimik ako
nang makapiling kita
at marinig ang iyong salita
sa hihip ng hangin
tikatik ng ulan
talilis ng alakdan sa damo
igkas ng sangang binitiwan ng bunga
ingit ng bakal sa kumikiskis na bato
maging sa hapdi ng sikat ng araw
at lamig ng sinag ng buwan
nang mahiwatigan ko
mabanaag
ang loob mo.
Poet’s Bio: Rofel G. Brion, Ph.D. is professor of interdisciplinary studies, literature, and creative writing at the Ateneo de Manila University. Baka Sakali/Maybe by Chance, his first book of poems, won the Philippine National Book Award in 1981; he has published four more poetry collections since then, the last, Kapag Natagpuan Kita/Once I Find You, in 2013. He has been a fellow at various literature and writing festivals, among them the Berlin International Literature Festival (2005) and the Mildura Writers Festival (2009).