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ALBERT B. CASUGA, a Philippine-born writer, lives in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where he continues to write poetry, fiction, and criticism after his retirement from teaching and serving as an elected member of his region's school board. He was nominated to the Mississauga Arts Council Literary Awards in 2007. A graduate of the Royal and Pontifical University of St. Thomas (now University of Santo Tomas, Manila. Literature and English, magna cum laude), he taught English and Literature (Criticism, Theory, and Creative Writing) at the Philippines' De La Salle University and San Beda College. He has authored books of poetry, short stories, literary theory and criticism. He has won awards for his works in Canada, the U.S.A., and the Philippines. His latest work, A Theory of Echoes and Other Poems was published February 2009 by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. His fiction and poetry were published by online literary journals Asia Writes and Coastal Poems recently. He was a Fellow at the 1972 Silliman University Writers Workshop, Philippines. As a journalist, he worked with the United Press International and wrote an art column for the defunct Philippines Herald.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

A MOUNTAIN PRAYER




A MOUNTAIN PRAYER



You glimpse her in the window as the bus/rolls by— lit end of her cigar/poised in her mouth, eyes scanning/the day for what warmth it will bring .--- From “Harbinger” by Luisa A. Igloria, Via Negativa, 09-16-11


They will come home today, I know that.
It is the coldest morning this month.
 

That’s when they come and feast on my
rice cakes, that’s when they come.
 

They will build a little manger in the grove,
out of banana stalks and dried leaves.
 

Look at that, I burned my lips with the lit end
of my cigar. Could be an omen. Who is ill?
 

Great Kannoyan, god of my fathers, protect
my little ones, I need them to come home.
 

On this cold morning, I hope I could share
brewed rice coffee with them before I go.
 



— Albert B. Casuga
09-16-11


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