Poem as Apology to the Universe

For all the times I believe better
to ask forgiveness instead of permission.

For the times I break the quiet,
and all the times I refuse to speak.

For plucking fruit still jacketed in green
just to cut it open and prove it has a heart.

For pressing my eager hand on the glass 
and lifting the ropes, despite the warnings.

For all the times I mean no but 
my mouth, this body, says yes or maybe.

For thinking the world is always willing to help, 
rather than lying in wait as an orange sunrise.

For the hours I let grief eat from my hand
and the nights I pray for sleep so when I wake

everything stretched to near breaking 
will return to its unbroken self. 

*

P.S.: I woke up to this beautiful translation into Ilocano 
of my poem, by Baguio-based poet, scholar, translator 
and artist Junley Lorenzana Lazaga. I have his permission 
to share it here on Via Negativa. Agyamanac unay, Junley!

Daniw kas Pammakawan iti Uniberso
(Poem as Apology to Universe by Luisa A. Igloria;
translated by Junley Lorenzana Lazaga)


Para kadagiti amin a panawen nga ad-adda nga italekko 
ti kumiddaw iti pammakawan imbes a pammalubos. 

Para kadagiti amin a kanito a ti talna, binurakko,
ken amin a kanito a nagkedkedak nga agsao. 

Para iti panangpuros iti bunga a naganus pay laeng a silalangto
tapno laeng iwaek a luktan ken paneknekan nga addaan iti puso.

Para iti panangigaedko iti imak iti sarming
ken panangitag-ay kadagiti galut, iti laksid dagiti ballaag.

Para kadagiti amin nga oras a kayatko a sawen ti saan
ngem dagiti bibigko, daytoy bagik, nangbalikas iti wen wenno amangan. 

Para iti panangpanunot a ti lubong ket kanayon a sisasagana a tumulong,
imbes nga agtalinaed laeng nga agur-uray a kas iti maris-kahel nga ileleggak ti init. 

Para kadagiti oras a ti leddaang, isubbuak a mangan 
ken kadagiti rabii nga agkararagak para iti pannaturog tapno iti iririingko

amin a mabinnat nga agarup maburak
ket agsublida iti bagida a di-naburak.


Prof. Junley Lorenzana Lazaga, holds the distinction of being 
the first in the University of the Philippines Baguio to be conferred 
the title of UP Artist. He currently serves as an associate professor 
in the Department of Language, Literature, and the Arts, where he 
has served for over fifteen years in various academic and administrative 
leadership roles,  including directing public affairs during the height 
of the COVID-19 pandemic. He writes in Ilokano, Filipino, and English, 
and also translates between these languages. He is the recipient 
of a UP Baguio Golden Jubilee Award (2021), One UP Faculty Grant 
Award (2016-2018, 2019-2021), and One UP Professorial Chair 
Award (2022-2024).