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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.

Friday, June 14, 2013

TO BUILD HOMES OUT OF BOX HOUSES


 
 
TO BUILD HOMES OUT OF BOX HOUSES

(For Marie Clementine)

Something about boxes as make-believe houses
Define their stories of how they must grow away
To stay close, anchored like uncut umbilicus.

Always look homeward, lass, and you will stay
To listen to this old heart’s rhythm in tall tales
Of shadows dancing on the walls, a shadow play

As real as your play-sets, teacups, saucers, kettles
And cutlery, all faces of a vibrant dreamworld game
Where abuelo will always be the catcher of shells

And you the full-to-the-brim pitcher of warm joy
In a pretend abode as inchoate as these cardboard
Walls emptied of things grown-ups like for a toy

To build homes with, to brighten shelters with,
And think paper pillars are stronger than reed.

---ALBERT B. CASUGA
06/14/13, Mississauga

 

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