Ang Panaw sa Usa ka Hummingbird
Palandonga nga ang hummingbird–
ang kinagamyang langgam ning kalibotan–
kansang gidak-on ingon ra sa imong kumagko,
mopanaw og labing layo aron pagbalhin
inig ilis sa panimpohon. Palandonga
nga maglupad siya nga mag-inusara. Tabok
sa lapad nga lawod ug yuta, maglupad
nga mubo aron paglikay sa buot motukob kaniya,
aron iyang makita kon asa siya makapahulay,
aron iyang hitultolan ang iyang gipadulngan.
Kita usab sama sa gamay’ng hummingbird
nga nagpadayon sa atong mga pagpanaw.
Lain ang atong mga agianan, lain ang mga lutsanan,
ug kasagaran magpanaw usab kita nga mag-inusara.
Unta, lagbas sa lapad nga lawod ug yuta–
sama sa gamay’ng hummingbird–
makatultol ug makaabot kita sa atong gipadulngan.
– Urias Almagro, M.D. (1943-2015) from Kabisdak
The Journey of a Hummingbird
Consider that the hummingbird—
the smallest bird in the world—
whose size is just like that of the thumb,
travels such a lengthy distance to move
when the season changes. Consider
that it flies alone. Crossing
the wide expanse of sea and land, it flies
low to avoid anything that might prey on it
so that it sees where it could rest,
so that it finds its destination.
We are also like the small hummingbird
who continue in our own journey.
Diverse paths lie before us, different corners,
and many times we also move alone.
May it be, that beyond the breadth of sea and land—
like the tiny hummingbird—
We can find and reach our journey’s end.
– translated by Delora Sales-Simbajon
Translator notes:
I first learned of Dr. Almagro’s poems back in the late 90s in Cebu, thanks to a writer friend and now award-winning poet, Myke Obenieta. In March 2014, I found Dr. Almagro, who was US-based, on FB and eagerly connected with him. At one point, I asked his permission to translate this poem, my first attempt at poetry translation, which he gladly granted. I happened to remember this poem today, and coincidentally, his death anniversary is also coming up (May 3).