There was a mini-fiesta in my honor in the middle of my seminar at Titus Brandsma Center. There was singing (a couple sang “The Prayer”) and dancing (several women danced with me: it’s on video).
Dr. Isidro Sia’s translation of my English poem “Tai Ji Quan” into Tagalog was read by Diego, one of my students. I was given a copy of it. (See below.) I was also given a Certificate of Honor by INAM Philippines, the sponsor of my seminars since 1997 (or 25 years).
Tai Ji Quan
do not speak the words
for the gesture
you have to learn
the movement
repeat it
maybe a thousand
times probably more
in silence
the eyes follow
the entry of the hands
into the space
wheeling around
your center
the heart keeps
a slow count
for you
as you breathe
through the pores
of your
skin
the feet reach down
into the earth
and the crown opens
up to the sky
as your mind empties
itself to receive
a benediction
from the stars
and one day it may happen
a rainbow shimmers
just somewhere
between the muscles
the marrow and the blood
deep currents
shooting
down your legs
and arms
there is a
radiance
in your eyes when you feel
for the first time
the pull of earth and sky
and you are in the middle
of this
congruence as you draw
the circles
around you
with your hands
your body listens
becomes
sound and color
and pulsing
and you taste
the beginning
where we came from
and where we shall
all
return
Tai Ji Quan
Kaibigan, hindi kailangan ang salita.
Kung sa kilos maipapakita.
Pag-aralan ang mga galaw
Ulit-ulitin nang
Sampu, sandaan, sanlaksang ulit
Nang hindi nagsasalita.
Sundan ng iyong mga mata
Ang pag-imbolog ng inyong kamay
Sa kalawakan,
Pag-ikid-ikid
Sa iyong kaibuturan.
Ang puso mo’y
Magbilang
Mabagal,
Sabayan ang iyong paghinga,
Labas, pasok
Sa mga butas ng iyong balat.
Mga paa mo’y may ugat
Sa lupa
Habang ang bunbunan mo’y
Namumukadkad
Pa langit
Gawing hungkag ang iyong isip
Upang apunan ang bendisyon
Mula sa mga bituin.
At isang araw mangyayari
Bahaghari magniningning
Sa iyong buto, kalamnan, dugo
Aagos sa bisig,
Aagos sa binti.
Mata mo’y kumislap
Sa sabay ng paghila
Ng langit at lupa.
At ikaw ay dadalhin
Sa iyong kaibuturan
Sa pag-ikid, pag-ikot, pag-inog
Ng iyong mga kamay
Sa kalawakan
Katawan mo ay makinig
At maging kulay, amoy, tunog at pulso
Upang lasapin
Ang pinagsilangan
At pagkakanlungan.
–Isinalin ni Isidro Sia