The Betrayed Child

By Harris Guevarra

Translated from the Filipino by Bernard Kean Capinpin

 

The face of the king of spirits, who holds the sole candle in the kingdom of darkness, like a star nearing the earth or a comet, approaches. The arms of the mother lock the struggling child, the accused, the witness who repeatedly detonates the truth he sees like a grenade. Today is the day of judgement. The king stood up at the center, adamant that whoever perceives a light other than the light emanating from him is a liar. How many centuries have they lived alone, without the hope of heaven or hell, peaceful under the shadow of the dim light promised by the king. When he ordered the door open, the expanse of darkness was entered, all were blinded by the blackness, dark enough for their fear not be seen by anyone. The guards dragged out the child, whose wailing was suddenly cut off when the door closed. If we live in the dark, the king reassures the mother for her to understand, this is just the darkness inside a womb.

 

 

 

Ang Batang Itinakwil

Harris Guevarra

 

Marahan lumalapit ang mukha ng hari ng mga kaluluwa, hawak ang tanging kandila sa kaharian ng kadiliman, isang papalit na bituin sa mundo o kometa. Ikinukulong ng bisig ng ina ang pumipiglas na anak, ang nasasakdal, ang saksing paulit-ulit isinasambulat na parang granada ang katotohanang nakita. Ngayon ang araw ng hatol. Tumayo ang hari sa gitna at pinanindigan ang makakita ng liwanang na hindi mula sa kaniya ay kasinungalingan. Ilang daang taon na silang namumuhay mag-isa, walang inaasahang langit o impiyerno, payapa sa lilim ng makulimlim na pangakong liwanag ng hari. Pinabuksan niya ang pinto, lumantad ang malawak na kadiliman, nasilaw ang lahat sa itim, sapat upang hindi maaninag ang takot sa isa’t isa. Itinulak palabas ng mga kawal ang batang biglang naputol ang taghoy pagsara ng pinto. Kung tayo ay nasa kadiliman, pag-aalo ng hari sa ina upang malinawagan, kadiliman lamang ito sa loob ng sinapupunan.

 

 

Note: The italicized text is from the American professor Lynn White’s description of the Dark Ages as an important starting point in the development of the West.

 

Translator

Bernard Kean Capinpin is a poet and translator. He is currently working on a translation of Ramon Guillermo’s “Ang Makina ni Mang Turing.” He lives in Quezon City.

 

Author

Harris Guevarra lives in Manila. Osana is his first book of poems. He is also a businessperson.