We Were Like Red Wine

[JoelJosol]

There is bliss to catch a glimpse
from those eyes bringing back memories
of the first day I saw you.

We would not let go of our false timing
in the turning of our heads,
bringing joy in my heart.

Why do I keep holding on to these hands,
when you are not going away,
with those eyes and smile?

We are like aging red wine
that has grown sweeter still whose cup
is full of your glances and my memories.

(For my wife in the occasion of our upcoming 36th anniversary :-))

[Tinker]

Ah Joel,  Written with your usual impeccable rhythm.   This is so beautifully romantic.   Such a lucky woman.  Congratulations on 36 years!   

~~Judi / Tink

[JoelJosol]

Thanks for the read and greet, Judi. This is actually a translation from the original Tagalog. I revised the poem to make it less wordy.

[Tinker]

1 hour ago, JoelJosol said:

 This is actually a translation from the original Tagalog. I revised the poem to make it less wordy.

Hi Joel,  Tagalog is such a musical language, I am sure the original is beautiful read out loud.  

~~Judi

[JoelJosol]

Yes, but it is a bit wordy with multi-syllable word which makes it beautiful sounding. To illustrate the wordiness, I am reproducing here the Tagalog poem whose idiom is not that easy to carry over in English. Note that the first line alone has double the syllables in Tagalog (14) to just seven in English. I dropped the lines completely whose idiom I cannot carry over in English.

 

Para Tayong Mapulang Alak

 

Mayroong saya na masilip ang iyong tingin

mula sa iyong mga mata na nagbabalik

ng mga ala-alang noong una kang tanawin,

mga sulyap na naghagis ng mga salitang di nabigkas.

 

May hiya na nahayag sa sabay na pagsulyap,

mga pagkakamaling nagdala ng tuwa sa puso

na pilit na naglilihim, nguni't sa lakas ng tibok nito'y

pinupunit ang dibdib.

 

Bakit pilit pa rin na inaabot ang mga kamay

na gustong haplusin, mga brasong ayaw bitawan,

hindi ka naman umaalis, narito lamang tahimik,

at may pilyang ngiti sa kapiling.

 

Para tayong mga pulang alak na sa pagtanda

ay lalong tumamis, na noong tangan na ang kopa

at nasimsim ang kaniyang lasa, may pagsangayon

na sasabihin, ito ang pinakamagaling!

 

Itago pa natin nang buong ingat ang mga ala-alang

parang alak, hayaan pang lalong tumamis, at ilayo

sa init ng mga pagaalinlangan, upang patuloy

na magsanib ang mga ala-ala at ngiti.

[tonyv]

Interesting how you chose the past tense in the title. Yet, again, it delivers a sense of history. It all comes down to timing. Fine work, Joel.

Tony