Lihim na Paghangad

This is the first time I've tried to make a poem in my native language. Strange, huh? My favorite subject has always been English. I've never really been that fond of Filipino. But then I realized... I AM A FILIPINO. I should be proud of that. That's why, starting today, I'm going to read more Filipino prose and poetry to help me make better poems than the one you are about to read.

Kailan ko kaya mararamdaman

Na ako'y hindi lamang buto't laman?

Ang kaluluwa ko'y gustong lumipad,

At sa mga ibon ito'y maihantulad.

Mararanasan ko pa kaya ang kapayapaan
Na pinaghirapang makamit ng mga bayaning hinahangaan?
Dahil sa isipan ko'y ako pa rin
Ay nakakulong tulad ng isang salarin.

Kakayanin ko pa kaya ang sakit na ito
Na nadarama ng aking mahinang puso?
Tayo'y laging nakararanas ng paghihinagpis,
Ngunit ito'y ating dapat matiis.

Sa mga makababasa ng tulang ito,
Sana ay mahanap na ninyo
Ang tunay na hangad ng inyong mga damdamin
At kaligayahan na higit sa dagat na malalim.


Translation:

" When will I ever feel
That I'm not just bones and flesh (actually, 'laman' literally means 'organ')?
My soul wants to fly
And to the birds be compared.

Will I ever experience
The freedom that our heroes fought hard to gain?
Because in my mind I am still
Imprisoned like a criminal.

Can I still endure this pain
That my poor heart is feeling?
We always experience [can't think of the right word for 'hinagpis']
But this, we have to face.

To every one that will be able to read this poem,
I hope that you will find
The true desire of your souls
And find happiness deeper than the ocean."