King's Orders by Jose F. Lacaba (Poem)

King's Orders
by Jose F. Lacaba

Whereas, the time for heroes is past
and there's nothing more for them to do;

whereas, swords have all gone to rust
and fire and storm have been pacified;

whereas, in forests we no longer have to cross
the old troll has lost his protection racket;

whereas, confused monsters are in exile
and not a single witch remains,

now, therefore, be it resolved,
as it is hereby resolved,

that once a year we shall offer
the illustrious heroes of the race
fragrant flowers and boring speeches,

and whoever tries to return to the forest
shall be jailed, whoever goes up the mountain
to look for nymphs shall be hanged.

The Sacred Passion of Saint Joseph by Jose F. Lacaba (Poem)

The Sacred Passion of Saint Joseph
By Jose F. Lacaba

Matay na niyang isipin
ang kabuntisan ng Birhen
anopa't babaling-baling,
walang matutuhang gawin
ang loob niya't panimdim.
- Pasyong Mahal

Chisel, plane and hammer,
listen, I'll whisper
my bitter secret: though
I've never whatchamacallit her,
my girlfriend's pregnant.

An angel tells me there's nothing
for me to be ashamed of,
there's no reason to cry;
in fact, I'm supposed to be glad

because my girl's been raped by God.

Hammer, plane and chisel,
is anger allowed to
a carpenter? Suffer in silence.
The weak and the small,
I hear, are no match for heaven.