TWO POEMS: ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MEASURING LOVE

TWO POEMS: ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MEASURING LOVE

 

 

PALABRA DE HONOR

 

How long does wood need to steep,/to stay alive long enough with clay/it loves in the kiln?---From “Each Question is Always the Same Question” by Luisa A. Igloria, Via Negativa, 08-11-11

I would take forever, if I were wood, to steep

in peacock colours and stand tall as a totem
pole. But I am still an uncut trunk, a lookout
point really, staying true to a palabra de honor.*

On my word of honour, even when I am felled

to provide fire for cauldrons or heat for kiln,
I will stay alive long enough as ember until
you have been formed as that earthen jar

to hold what we have always wanted to keep:

all the love and promise moulded in crucibles
of passion molten at last as honey to last us
to the end of our journey beyond this woods.
 
This kiln fire would have long cooled down,
before the flame of this palabra de honor,
my troth and my word, would have flared out.
My trunk will be imbued with lustrous red soon.

---Albert B. Casuga

 

 

HIS PROMISE

 

…If I disappeared into one of the ruby-red rooms/of the pomegranate, would you stain/your fingers to search for me?---From “Each Question is Always the Same Question” by Luisa A. Igloria, Via Negativa, 08-11-11

 

You could not hide from me if you tried,

no ruby-red chambers have room enough
to shield you from my dowse, my heart’s
divining rod, I will find you. I must.

Would stains stop me? Neither will filth.

Each question you ask will be the same
question I will always seek to answer
if this search shall take me from here

to the last seed that would have sprouted

from dry clay hiding your eyes, your limbs,
your mouth in each branch or leaf, or twig.
I shall kiss them all, and I will find you.

---Albert B. Casuga