22 roundabouts
a poem by Carmela R. Labitoria
My map says 26
but my friends say 22
for they have counted them roundabouts
I need to see them, too
We went through humps
and we went through jams
We passed through green roundabouts
and also bald ones – the 18th, to be precise
It was fun for the first few roundabouts
but dragged after the third
because the road was long
and we were alone
We didn’t talk anymore
and I started to think other thoughts
and you yawned
as I looked through the car’s window
But we had to go on –
finish counting the 22 roundabouts
of Hamad Town
and of our own
And really, there are 22 roundabouts
which made me realize
I had more roundabouts with you
And you, too, knew
And we were both silent
You – diffident and shy
and I – sad but glad
that the 22 roundabouts had taught me how to count
in a foreign tongue
the many roundabouts we had had
and that the counting should end
2 Comments >>
Daniel
Hi Ms. Carmela, (I’m presuming you’re thomasian, I graduated from UST, Faculty of Arts and Letters ):D I’ve read your profile. I stumbled upon this site by chance or not.. I’ve heard about elham for some time now and I was wondering if they cultivate an avenue for poetry and seeing your name and poetry with elham answered my query. I’ve been writing poetry since I was kid, mostly angst poetry, I’ve done poetry jams in manila back a few years back so seeing a poem written by a Filipina, here in bahrain is really refreshing. I like how you played the idea of ending a relationship with counting of the roundabouts. (correct me if my reading is wrong) The simplicity of the scene, where two people driving, passing the roundabouts of hamadtown and how it reflected the things the both shared or not… plain genius. I wish to read more of your works. God Bless. P.S. is Elham an exclusive group or is it open for creative minds in the general public?
Feb 22nd, 2009
alvin
Carla,
What’s up??Hope you’re always fine wherever you are right now….(Bahrain I guess).Just taking a little of my time to say my thoughts about you.When was the last time I saw you?I don’t even know how many years i can count in my fingers have passed the last time I saw you.But, it just crossed my thoughts how are you and where are you all these years.
Kas nasa-ok, adu iti tawen a naglabas iti biag tayo.Nu idi ubbing tayo pay, itatta adda iti naduma duma nga paset iti biag tayon.Dagiti naglabas a tawen iti arimpadek iti biag a manglim limo kadatayo, isu iti nangted sirib ken adal kadatayo.
Ammok, haan ta man nga nasinged nga ag-gayyem, ngem dakkel iti paset iti biag ko nga na-amamo ka.Dagiti ladingit ken ragsak a nagpasaran tayo idi agad-adal tayo kanayon to latta a lagip ditoy panunot ko.
Agyamanak kenka iti aniaman nga oras ken kapanunotam kaniak.Naragsakak ta na-imatangak ken nabasak iti maysa a nakaay-ayu nga poem nga inka insurat ditoy.Sika latta ni Carla a nasirib ken creative and most of all the woman with soulful and artistic mind I have come to know.
Till here.Hope you’ll read it.Take care and God bless you all the time.till we meet again.
iti gayyem tungpal biag,
alvin crisostomo
May 20th, 2009
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