Mundo ng Bangketa/ World of the Sidewalk

Sa pagitan ng Philamlife tower
At ng Ayala Avenue,
Maluwag ang espasyo
Para sa katawan kong 29-23-31.
Kasama ko ang aking sanggol
na nasa aking mga braso
Sa tapat ng espasyong
Dating buntis na sinapupunan.
Subo-subo niya ang aking suso,
Pinipiga ito para sa gatas
Tila bampirang sumisipsip
mula sa utong na duguan.
Nang mangawit ang aking bisig
Sa pasaning buhay na ito,
Akin itong pinalaya,
Sa hanging tila puwang na para sa lahat.
Ngunit okupado pala ang hangin,
Bagkos inagaw ng “hangin”
Ang aking bisig, braso, at kamay
Sa paglampas sa mundo ng bangketa.
Mukhang masyadong maliit at masikip
Ang mundo para pa maisip ang mag-unat.

It's the first time I'll post something in my first language Filipino.

I'll attempt a translation here NOW!

Between the Philamlife tower
and Ayala Avenue,
loose is the space
for my body that's 29-23-31.
In the company of my infant
that is on my own shoulders
across the space that
was once my pregnant womb.
mouthing my own breast,
distilling it for milk
as if a vampire that sucks
from a nipple bloodied.
When numb my arms went
with burden of life as this,
I freed it,
In the wind as if a lack that's for all.
But occupied was the air,
Hence took by the "air"
My arm, shoulder, and hand
In going beyond the world of the sidewalk.
Looks like too small and cramped
The world is, even to think of stretching.

- I noticed that when I write in my home language, the meaning seems to be so much more political and less of an attempt for beauty. Probably it's in the nature of English appearing as "universal" to me and Filipino as "particular." Nonetheless, the experiment has confirmed my expectations. Writing in English lacks that element of the "identity" for a Filipino such as myself.