Monday, February 27, 2012

"Sipat" from Pitong Sundang


"Sipat" based on a poem by Ericson Acosta. Music by Acosta Universe, arranged by Dibayn Leaño and JM Diego of Los Indios Bravos for the Sinagbayan dance production of Pitong Sundang staged at the University of the Philippines.





Ikatlong Sundang: SIPAT


Sinisikap nating maya’t maya ay sipatin

kung gaano pa katuwid, pantay at pasulong

ang talim at gulugod ng ating mga sundang.

Itinutok ko ito sa langit isang araw

at tulad ng manunudla ng kalaw o pipit

akin ngang ipinikit ang kaliwa kong mata.

At sa aking asinta ay mayroong tumawid:

mandi’y tutubi— dambuhala at de-makina.

Milyong sundang ang tinunaw nang ito’y hinulma,

sabi ng tao, at ang tae nito ay apoy.



Third Dagger: Perspective



At times we tried to see

how straight, even, and pointed

our dagger’s edge and spine were.

I aimed it at the sky one day

and like the archer of hornbills and sparrows

I shut my left eye.

Then something appeared in my crosshairs:

a dragonfly it seemed—massive and motorized.

A million daggers are melted to make it,

the people said, and its shit is fire.


(Translated by Charlie Veric)

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