The Rendezvous

Have I met you?
I wonder. Because I’ve been meaning to meet you.

If I have met you already and I didn’t notice, I’m sorry.
I have been preoccupied with other things. Lots of other things.

Have I met you?
I wonder. Because if I have, I’d like for us to meet again.
If it’s okay with you.

However, if I haven’t met you and you’re still out there waiting
or taking your time, or preoccupied with something,
I’d like to meet you.

I may not know when or where or how,
But if you decide to pass by, please let me know that it’s you.
So I can say hi.

Red

By Pulang Paruparo

The red moon shines on us

as we walk along the red beach

holding hands

not minding the humid sea breeze

wafting us,

blowing my crimson dress

clinging to my body like a second skin,

or the red sea caressing our feet

as it touches the soft reddish sand.

I still remember the first time

you told me you love me.

The white moon was shining brightly on us

as we walked

hand in hand

on this same spot.

The sand was still white then.

The sea still blue.

And I was wearing this same dress

which was still pink.

You gave me a red rose

and whispered the words

I didn’t really hear,

just felt,

as everything around us did.

You painted the whole world red.

Cat’s Tongue

By Pulang Paruparo and F. Abuel

The night slowly fades

and I become the moonshine

drowning in the shadows

with you. I am light

and darkness,

white as a king’s tiger

black as a queen’s cat

purring, tempting you

to feed me your bowl of milk

which I relentlessly lick clean

my tongue savoring you.