DESIRE’S UNLIKELY END

DESIRE’S UNLIKELY END

(Kakaibang pagkalibing ng paghahangad) Leona Florentino

Who is Leona Florentino?

• She is born April 19, 1849 • A Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages. • She is considered as the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition". • Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. • Her literary contributions were recognized when she was included in the International Encyclopedia of Women’s Works in 1889.

Desire’s Unlikely End I always dream of your unique mirth Every night in my deep sleep And in this dream I earnestly plead With you as I wail over my plight Nenang, dear one, heed my cries This searing pain, this ceaseless suffering All is meaningless now, so I will end And slay all this haplessness before me

Truly, my love, for why should I desire When all I get in return is your cruelty Death is a much sweeter reward From your benevolent hand I have given all my life to you And should you wish that I end this life Please just bless my heart whish has been torn apart But which has found a home in you

Try to fathom the pain This terrible agony I bear As you leave me in distress My tears will stalk you from your grave My dead body will sigh with all its might And all those who shall hear me Will declare, Ay, what misfortune! Has befallen her wicked wretched soul.

Kakaibang pagkalibing ng Paghahangad Ang kakaibang timyas mo'y lagi kong panaginip Tuwing gabing ako'y nahihimbing; Tila ba sumasamo ako sa iyo nang tumatnagis, Inihihimutok ang lumbay at pasakit na tinitis.

Nenang, arukin mo sa kaibuturan ng isip Ang mahahapdi kong mga daing; Dahil tunay namang walang kahihinatna't, wala nang kabuluhan, Kikitlin ko na ngayon itong pagdurusang hinaharap.

Tunay, imnas, pagkat ano pa nga ba ang aking hahangarin? Kung kalupitan din lamang ang aking tatamasahin; Mamatamisin ko ang kamatayan Kung sayo ito magmumula. Ang buhay kong ito'y sa iyo nakalaan Kung nanaisin mo, kahit pa mapugto ang hininga; pagpalain mo na sana itong pusong nakikiusap Na sa piling lubos tumahan.

Arukin mo sa kaibuturan ng isip Itong napakahapding pagdaing, At kung itong pagsinta'y iiwanan mong nagdurusa, Hanggang puntod susundan ka ng mga luha. At yaong bangkay dito'y Bubuntunghininga nang buong-buo Upang yaong mga taong makaririnig ay magsasabing Ay, tunay namang kaysawimpalad Lubusan nang napariwara't wala nang pitagan.

Poetic Devices… • • • • •

Hyperbole Alliteration Idioms Assonance Rhetorical question