Beach-Walking

Seaweed-like
our arms entwining
and leaving water-logged footprints on the sand
     we walk the beach
     silently.

Nothing needs to be said now.

But to listen
     to the wind-joy
     tide-splashed
     beating of our hearts.

To feel
     the sun-warmth
     sand-streaked
     breeze-breathed
     presence
     of you and me.

For beach walks
     do not last
     forever.

Soon the sea
     will disgorge the weeds
     to dry up in the sun
and the tide
will erase the footprints
     on the shore
and the sunset
     of death
     will sever
     entwining arms.

And only
     memories
     of shared togetherness
     by the sea
     will remain.

EVELYN MIRANDA-FELICIANO

march.13.2005: bohol frolic

the first day we woke up as husband and wife.

- toured tagbilaran, bohol
- went to see the chocolate hills
- explored local caves
- ate kalamay hati
- tarsiers tarsiers tarsiers!
- lunch buffet on a river cruise (the same river where Cesar Montano filmed Panaghoy sa Suba)
- museums, churches
- dimaluan beach resort - snore!
- bohol beach club - good food, relaxing hammock, refreshing swim, funny table tennis games (all at the price of losing a snorkel and goggles!)

the very same day the digicam died on us.

march.12.2005

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this:
where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
- Pablo Neruda from Cien Sonetos de Amor (100 Love Sonnets) XVII