MY TWO OTHER POEMS TODAY: I am grateful for what I inherited from Abuela Teodora Apilado Flores de Casuga and Abuela Sotera de Leon Martinez de Buenaventura---a conjurer of tales and a devoted spiritual guide respectively. In these poems, I trace who had the story teller skills, and the religious faith that move me still. To them, I owe these gifts of sublime significance. In an earlier post, I look back to my grandfathers, two men in my life, who have likewise given me gifts I can never pay back, except to strive to be the man of arts, letters, education, and civil service that I have become and hope to remain till the final call. These poems celebrate my dearest grandmothers. SUNDOWN TALES AND CANDLES: POEMS FOR TWO WOMEN IN MY LIFE* 1. SUNDOWN TALES For Lola Dora (Sra. Dona Teodora Flores Casuga+) All, all of those shadows that people my stories, abuela, have their home in your sundown tales. My poetry sings still with the rhythm of your voice, images have been shaped before in the pictures you etched with your face and fingers. They will not be blurred by old minds fumbling with remembrances, recuerdos, abuela, of all that you left to sprout in the moist and porous soil of our hearts and the wild moss peats of our minds, and every word from my pen is your word. 2. CANDLES AND EMPTY ROOMS For Inang (Sra. Dona Sotera Martinez-Buenaventura+) If you were here, I would know where you are: you would be by the gaping window where the statue of the Sagrada Familia would be, lighting candle stubs, striking matchsticks endlessly until all are lit, and only the sound of struck flint remained. Soon, you would be wandering among empty rooms, calling out for me to put on my church clothes for a walk to the Iglesia and pray. However hollow those vaults were, or inert those icons looked, the walls would vibrate with your intoned oracion, and I’d feel safe. --- ALBERT B. CASUGA November 29, 2014, Mississauga *Culled from Poesias Para Los Muertos, 10-01-11. If a writer thrives on a spiritual life, these two women, my paternal and maternal grandmothers, were the wellsprings of that large portion of my life. Abuela Teodora Abuela Sotera
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 05:03:40 +0000
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