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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.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

HIS UNFINISHED HOUSE THERE



HIS UNFINISHED HOUSE THERE



...But for/ travel, scarcity. I am/ leaving room. I am/ willing away all that/ I do not need.---Hannah Stephenson, “Traveling Light”, The Storialist,  04-25-12



He said there was the old Bulova watch
hanging on the nail behind the door
in his room. It still works. It is yours.

He willed away a relic he did not need,
there was no pawnshop there anyway.
His turned down thumb belied his smile.

There was always his other word for away.
When I go there, I will be there awhile,
and there is no coming back there. None.

He looked away then, pointing to a frame
on the hospital wall, Our unfinished house,
finish it. It is yours. But shelter everyone.

He gave me time when there was none
left to finish his house so he could go there.
There was nothing he needed there. Nothing.



---Albert B. Casuga
04-26-12



This is Poem #26 in my poem-a-day project to celebrate National Poetry Month (April 2012).
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1 comment:

Hannah Stephenson said...

Mmm, there is a quietness and longing in this poem. I'm loving the clarity of your voice.

April 26, 2012 at 2:01 PM

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