Selected Poems

by Merlie M. Alunan

This book contains selections from her two books, Hearthstone, Sacred Tree (1993)and Amina Among the Angels (1997). All the poems in this volume are part of several collections recognized by the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

Genres: Poetry

84 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

MERLIE M. ALUNAN spent time in different places in the Visayas and Mindanao at different times in her life and thus acquired a level of fluency in the major Visayan languages. She finished the Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of the Visayas, major in English and her Master’s Degree at Silliman University as a Fellow for Literature. She taught in several schools all over the Visayas: Silliman University itself as part of her Fellowship deal; Divine Word College in Tagbilaran City (now Holy Name University); and finally as faculty of UPV Tacloban College where she initiated creative writing workshops and intensified her advocacy to encourage the young to write in the native language. While doing her workshops with its specific advocacy, she became sharply aware of the lack of models for the aspiring Waray writer and the literal absence of any reading materials in the language. She has since published a collection of oral narratives entitled Susumaton issued by Ateneo de Manila University Press. Tinalunay joins the sparse titles on Waray literature authored by Fr. Raymond Quetchenbach, SVD, Gregorio Luangco, and Victor Sugbo. Aside from the works of young writers, she would like to see the publication of pioneers of Waray writing.

Reviews

[Maria Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ang likha na puno ng prosang tula
Tila isang gawang nakababahala
Isang limbag na di makapaniwalang
Sinimulan ng isang Pilipinong manunula

Hindi man ito pinuno ng pag-ibig
Pagkat kalungkutan ang nakaukit
sa mga pahina nitong wari'y malamig
Ang laman nito'y puru pasakit

Ninais ko ang kwento ng mga bata
Pati ang kanilang mga sinimulan
Ninais ko rin ang kwento ng mga matatanda
Sa pagsalaysay ng binagtas na daan

At dito ko tatapusin ang aking tula
na wala mang sukat ngunit may tugma
Ninais kong mahalin mula simula
Pero sapat lang ang pagkakagawa

-Rebyu, by Matronang Mambabasa

[Ice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I first encountered Merlie Alunan's work in college. Her poem, Bringing the Dolls, was simple enough for college students to analyze, yet something about it struck me.

Selected Poems combines materials from two of Alunan's previously published collections, Hearthstone, Sacred Tree and Dream Cycles

For me, the standouts in this collection are Emy and For Edith: Hearthstone, sacred tree from Poems from Green Valley, Nati-san, Hunger, and Addressing the Muse. There's also an interesting Filipino translation of Mandirigmang bundok ng Santa Catalina... by Bien Lumbera.

Alunan is at her best when writing about people, and how they interact with the unlikely, say a massive rock kept in the middle of one's kitchen. I wasn't drawn to most of the material that comprised Selected Poems, but the poems I've mentioned are definitely worth a glance.

[Jowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

16.02

[Jean (moved over to Storygraph!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75