Poem: Abot-kamay

Translation.

Abot means reach. Kamay means hand.

Abot-kamay means within reach, something you’re aiming to have, or something you worked hard for is almost at your fingertips.

Abot-kamay

When you will be born on that fateful day,

Wrapped in sterile white blankets

And the heavy caress of a tired body,

I will remember dreaming of you today,

As I gaze into those brown eyes that awoke

Drowned wet with tears this morning for the dream

Of having you far off in the grey future and not being

Able to hold you, all bloodied and crying, in the small

Of my hands now, so wrinkled and far from worthy,

Smelling of oranges and lemons, feeling softness.