top of page

PROJECT GRACE-UP

NATIONAL LGBTQ+

WRITERS WORKSHOP

Alamat ng cobra

Michael Thomas Nelmida

Mahilig akong maglagalag tuwing

gabi, dahan-dahan akong maglalakad

habang bitbit ang kaba,gagapang sa

damo, aarukin ang lalim.

Kailangan mong hanapin ang ahas

na nag-iiba ang anyo habang ito ay

tulog kailanganmong makuha ang

lason mula sakaniyang buntot,

ang makawahak dito ay isang milagro.

Ayon sa alamat makikita lang

ito sa gubat. Kaya laki ng aking

gulat. Hindi ko ito masukat.

Kagila-gilalas ang paglabas

ng ahas na minsang tumuklaw sa aking

diwa. Lumingkis sa aking pag-unawa

Noong araw na iyon simula

akong namatay at nabuhay. Nagpapalit ng anyo

ang ahas ang kobra na nagiging anaconda.

Hinihintay ko ang lason sa araw-araw niyang pagbisita.

Legend of the cobra

I love being a nomad at

night, I would slowly walk

while I carry my nerves, would crawl on

the grass, would gauge the depth.

You need to look for the snake

that transforms while it

sleeps you need to harvest the

venom from its tail,

to touch it is a miracle.

Legend says you will see it only

in the forest. Much to my

surprise. I cannot measure it.

It is astonishing to see

the snake that once bit my

soul, wrapped my comprehension in its coils

That day I began

to die and live. It changed its form

the snake the cobra that becomes an anaconda.

I wait for the venom in his daily visit.

bottom of page