See the leaves turn green
To yellow to orange
To red rust brown
Until they snap from the branches
And fall only to grow wings
Before kissing the ground
Where they curl up and nestle
And fade with an inaudible sigh
Dreaming of the wind
That used to caress them
And then they find their way
To the roots and drink
A whole season of rain
They ascend invisibly
Reaching for the wind
And the sun and the moon
Of a remembered forgotten life
Clinging to the branches
And a new memory of green.
This poem by Marra PL. Lanot first appeared in the Philippines Graphic Vol. 1, No. 1 — June 18, 1990
Come back next time and browse the Graphic Archive for more.
Marra PL. Lanot is a poet, essayist, and freelance journalist.
She has published articles and columns in newspapers and magazines on the arts, culture, and politics. She also translates poems from English and Filipino into Spanish, just as her own poems have been translated and published abroad into foreign languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Dutch, and Japanese.
Marra was an official delegate to several international literary festivals here and abroad. She spoke and read her works at the Kuala Lumpur World Poetry Reading; the first International Feminist Book Fair in Melbourne; and the first Hong Kong International Literary Festival; IV Encuentro Internacional de Poetas Mujeres in Oaxaca, among others. At the V Encuentro de Poetas del Mundo Latino, held in Mexico, Marra was the only delegate from Asia.
At the 23rd Festival Internacional de Poesía de Medellín, Marra was the sole delegate from the Philippines. She also received a four-month grant to the International Writing Program in Iowa. Among her literary awards are the Palanca award for poetry in English, and another for her essay in English.
Furthermore, she received the Catholic Mass Media Award for her columns in Filipino as well as the Balagtas award for a poem in Filipino.
Her works include: Cadena de Amor: New and Selected Poems in English, Filipino, and Spanish. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2017. Dream Sketches, second edition. Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2013. Darna & Other Idols. Mandaluyong City: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2012. Riding the Full Moon and Other Poems in Filipino and Spanish. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2008. Witch’s Dance at iba pang tula sa Filipino at Español. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing Inc., 2000. The Trouble with Nick & Other Profiles. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1999. Deja vu & Other Essays. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1999. Dream Sketches. Metro Manila: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 1991. Passion & Compassion. Quezon City: New Day Publishers, 1981 (first printing), 1988 (second printing). Flowers of the Sun. Quezon City: Mayon Volcano Publishing House, 1970. Sheaves of Things Burning. Quezon City: Panitikan Publications, 1967.
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