"Pagsakay sa Tren"

Daíng giróng an istasyón. Alágad an nagkakápirang mga daghán igwáng pag-alángan, tibáad,

huli sa mga bábayáan o mga aabtan. Asín mamansayan an nagbábaklay pang bulan

sa ibábaw kan mga kabukídan, mga niyugán, o madidiklóm pang mga badáng na tibáad man

daí na liwát magudák o matanumán, minsán sa likód kan panátang mabalik liwát. Minákusog

an mga buót huli ta malulúya pa an dagubdób kan paabúton na tren asín man an hinghíng pang pagsilbáto.

Harayô pa, harayô pa. Alágad igwáng tikbá, o pùngáw sa huring kugos o huring hadók

sa namúmùtan. Alágad, pag sinasarà na kan kakahúyan an tingráw kan tren

na minápasilyab sa mga kabóg na nagrúrulupádan, mináiktin an mga bitís, dagos kapót

sa mga daradára, patí naman sa daghán na uróg pang panô nin bagáhi—agóm, akì,

tugang, katúod, girumdóm asín an sadíring haróng. Asín sa pag-abót kan tren,

pagdangádang sa andén, mináiba an kulór kan kublít, nagígin siring iní sa buláwan—

mináliwánag an lawog siring sa nakapintáng kaugmáhan. Tibáad nakahilíng sa padúdumanan

na sa paghunà harayúon na marháy. Asín an pag-akò mináabot. Susundan nin sinublían na kurugusán

o luhang ngunyán saná maturò. Paáram. Sa liwát. Asín an makina ma-áyon sa nakákabungog niyáng silbáto.

(English)

"Before Boarding the Train"

The train station is quiet. But there are some hunches of hesitation, perhaps

because of those they will leave behind or where they will arrive. And they will watch the moon still waxing

over the mountains, coconut groves, or the still dark plains which perhaps

will not be cultivated or tilled again, despite the promise of homecoming. They gain resolve

for the rumbling of the coming train is still faint and its whistling a whisper.

It is still far, far still. But there is fear, or ache for the last embrace or kiss

of the beloved. But once the trees filter the sheen of the train

which sparks the fruit bats to flutter, the feet stir and they hold on

to their luggage, and also their breasts which are more laden with weight—spouse, child,

sibling, friend, memories and one’s own home. And when the train comes,

as it nears the platform, the skin changes, it becomes like gold—

the visage sparkles like a painted joy. Perhaps looking at the direction

one assumes is so distant. And then the acquiescence. Next will be the borrowed embraces

or tears that will only fall now. Goodbye. Till next time. And the engine merges with its deafening whistle.

Pagsakay sa Tren (Before Boarding the Train) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. The piece is read by the author.