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.