i lay dreaming of birds

 I wrote this poem on the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) which ravaged most of the island of Luzon (Philippines) on September 26, 2009. It's exactly been a year.

mud encrusts my hands like
gloves, warm but impersonal
i persistently rummage for
things i am afraid i have lost
in the flood, in the dark water
      photographs
      letters

      pride


but i keel over, the stench
leaves no room for nostalgia
even in overcast moments
when memories weave a
a perfect release to go with
     stale cigarettes
     and a cup
     of tears


i lay down and stare at the
wounds on my feet, gaping,
like an open call for death
but even death is no more
a stranger than this quietly
      strange house
      that the birds
      deserted


birds...i see one...two...three
silvery ghosts silhouetted
against the untouchable sky
did Noah's ark really land on
Mt Ararat? a fortunate soul
      he had God
      on his side
      while i...


i lay and dream and dream of
birds and lay dreaming still...

I also wrote a blog called seven meters of misery - my personal accounts of that very unfortunate event in my life.  

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