Versions Old, Revised,…Final?

Desmond Tutu Responds to US Attempts ... New poem almost popular

Versions Old, Revised,…Final?

In January 2011 my two books were born: Baha-bahagdang Karupukan and Alien to Any Skin. I was elated to have those two books published (both by UST Publishing House) for it had been a long gap since the last collection (Salimbayan, 1994). Soon after I wrote the first draft of the following poem. This one eventually joined a new set of poems that would become Sound Before Water (UST Publishing House, 2013), a much slimmer volume than the previous two which contain poetry from over 15 years. In a forthcoming review of this new collection this poem gets mentioned for the oddity of its title. I am posting this version – the one that is now in the book, as if being in book form makes it final! – perhaps as an invitation to adopt my paper children and make room for them in a new home.

It pains me not to be in the same country where these paper children are born. All I can do from where I am is tell as many people online how much I wish and hope the best for them. I will post a link to the review once it is available. For now, I share this with you.

How to Sell a Child Door to Door

for Karu and Skin, my paper children

tell them this child has no parent

and can only bring joy

to its new home

bring light and promise

into the room

as it silently sits

in their hands

even as the world burns

outside the window

tell them everything

they want to hear

that might make them smile

anything just to get

this child’s little foot

in the door

do not bat an eyelid

should the child

gasp at fragments

of moth wings

by the kettle

no one invites sorrow

into their lives

-o-