If my life were captured in a book

If my life were captured in a book, I would want a lengthy title for the book, something that would ultimately encompass my life and times, just in case the more than 5 billion people of the world would be too occupied to even read the back cover text of my book. Thus, spake zarathustra, the recommended book titles:

1. How to dismantle an atomic bomb without losing a finger but compromising your sanity: the life and times of Jessie Cubijano

2. How to kill a monster and secure a place in heaven: freeing the human race of Jessie Cubijano

3. Werewolf from the firmament: loving and hating the montrosity that is Jessie Cubijano

4. Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang: ang mga pakikipagsapalaran ni Jessie Cubijano sa buhay at sa pag-ibig

I Want You To Know

I Want You To Know

I
I want you to know
that I love you.
Though this I’ve said
a hundred times before.

Still, saying these words now matters-
this hour, this minute,
because here in this place that you built for me,
I never wanna stop loving you.

II
I want you to believe
in my trust for you.
Though my fears are like open wounds-
dripping with blood.

These wounds are gaping holes that flinch
with your cotton touch drenched in liquid medicine.
Still I wanna kiss your sting because it will heal me-
always, I know, completely.

III
I need you to understand
the strength of my loneliness.
Though your own shouldn’t make you
a stranger to this feeling.

I create my imaginary company, some of which are angels
while many are monsters and demons.
Yet, you were a warm body who rose above the fiction
that seemed never-ending.

IV
You may not feel it at times,
but I’m with you always.
Heart, mind, body, spirit-
Your presence within me, around me, yes, always so fierce.

12 August 2006