Vic Nierva's Podcast

A reading of an unpublished poem in Bikol by V.D.T. Nierva.

A reading of an unpublished poem in Bikol by V.D.T. Nierva.

An Koronel is a translation in the Bikol language of Carolyn Forché's 'The Colonel'. It is included in V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Minataram an Negro Dapit sa mga Salog is a translation in the Bikol language of Langston Hughes' 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers'. It is included in V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Bonsay is a translation in the Bikol language of Edith L. Tiempo's 'Bonsai'. The piece is included in V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Soneto LXXXI is a translation in the Bikol language of Pablo Neruda's Spanish original. The piece is included in V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Malaad na Bituon is a translation in the Bikol language of John Keat's 'Bright Star'. The piece is included in V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Sa Kadagatan (To Sea) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Mabini, Bago an Pagsulnop (Mabini, Before Sunset) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

Mga Bagyo (Storms) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. Read by the author.

"Pagsakay sa Tren" Daíng giróng an istasyón. Alágad an nagkakápirang mga daghán igwáng pag-alángan, tibáad, huli sa mga bábayáan o mga aabtan. Asín mamansayan an nagbábaklay pang bulan sa ibábaw kan mga kabukídan, mga niyugán, o madidiklóm pang mga badáng na tibáad man daí na liwát magudák o matanumán, minsán sa likód kan panátang mabalik liwát. Minákusog an mga buót huli ta malulúya pa an dagubdób kan paabúton na tren asín man an hinghíng pang pagsilbáto. Harayô pa, harayô pa. Alágad igwáng tikbá, o pùngáw sa huring kugos o huring hadók sa namúmùtan. Alágad, pag sinasarà na kan kakahúyan an tingráw kan tren na minápasilyab sa mga kabóg na nagrúrulupádan, mináiktin an mga bitís, dagos kapót sa mga daradára, patí naman sa daghán na uróg pang panô nin bagáhi—agóm, akì, tugang, katúod, girumdóm asín an sadíring haróng. Asín sa pag-abót kan tren, pagdangádang sa andén, mináiba an kulór kan kublít, nagígin siring iní sa buláwan— mináliwánag an lawog siring sa nakapintáng kaugmáhan. Tibáad nakahilíng sa padúdumanan na sa paghunà harayúon na marháy. Asín an pag-akò mináabot. Susundan nin sinublían na kurugusán o luhang ngunyán saná maturò. Paáram. Sa liwát. Asín an makina ma-áyon sa nakákabungog niyáng silbáto. (English) "Before Boarding the Train" The train station is quiet. But there are some hunches of hesitation, perhaps because of those they will leave behind or where they will arrive. And they will watch the moon still waxing over the mountains, coconut groves, or the still dark plains which perhaps will not be cultivated or tilled again, despite the promise of homecoming. They gain resolve for the rumbling of the coming train is still faint and its whistling a whisper. It is still far, far still. But there is fear, or ache for the last embrace or kiss of the beloved. But once the trees filter the sheen of the train which sparks the fruit bats to flutter, the feet stir and they hold on to their luggage, and also their breasts which are more laden with weight—spouse, child, sibling, friend, memories and one’s own home. And when the train comes, as it nears the platform, the skin changes, it becomes like gold— the visage sparkles like a painted joy. Perhaps looking at the direction one assumes is so distant. And then the acquiescence. Next will be the borrowed embraces or tears that will only fall now. Goodbye. Till next time. And the engine merges with its deafening whistle. Pagsakay sa Tren (Before Boarding the Train) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. The piece is read by the author.

"Isla" Sa kagagapuán na pampáng kainíng isla, nápaísip akó kun idtóng mga istórya tutúo: mga surat na linaóm sa bote na nakákaabot sa saróng baybáyon halì sa sarô pa. Nápaísip man ako sa karaníhan—bakô, bakóng karayúan—kainíng mga isla na nahíhiling ko; mga parabarútong sabát sa balúd minádara satô, asín ngunyán, kitá minátiklop asín nagígin mga surat nakalaóm sa mga bote o barúto. Sa sarô pang baybáyon, tibáad sa bakô nang magapô, minaláom kitá na akúon asín basáhon asín rimpusón. (English) "Island" Along the rocky shores of this island, I wonder if those stories are true: letters in bottles reaching one shore from another. I wonder, too, of nearness—no, not distances—between these islands that I see; boatmen brave waves ferrying us, so that now, we fold and turn into letters kept in bottles or boats. On another shore, perhaps a smoother one, we hope to be received and read and kept. Isla (Island) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. The piece is read by the author.

"Pagpulî" Iinútan ko an maagahón tangáning abúton an inot na turáok kan mga manók ni tatay. Idtóng daí nindá maáaráman o marirísa na akó nag-abót na asín nasa laóg na kan haróng. Iinútan ko an dikítdikit na pagliwánag kan langit asín an pagmatá kan banwáan. Buót ko na mainot akó sa pagkaràkarâ kan binúbukasan na radyo o binúbuklat na diyáryo. Iinútan ko an inot na gios kan mga guráng asín mga akì, malihip tangáning daí makaribaráw. Huli ta an buót kong mangyári magmatá sindáng garó kaibá nindá akó kan nakaáging banggí. (English) "Coming Home" I will come before dawn to hear the first crow of father’s cocks. So that they will neither know nor feel my arrival and that I am already at home. I will come before the skies slowly brighten before the town rises up from slumber. I want to be there before the sound of the radio being switched on or a newspaper being opened. I will come before the first stir of my folks and my siblings, and be still to not disturb them. Because what I want is this: that they wake up as if I were with them last night. Pagpuli (Coming Home) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. The poem is read by the author.

"Antisipasyón" Igwá nin halabáon na panahón sa pag-ultánan kan paghalát asín kan pagdatóng— arog kan mga huring aldáw kun saín an tag-ínit nagígin urán. Kun pànóng an tubig, haros, nasa satóng mga palad o, garó mga kristál, minádukot sa satóng mga buhok, haros— haros saná, asín mayò pa. (English) "Anticipation" There is a very long time between waiting and coming— like the last few days that turn summer into rain. How we feel the water, almost, in our palms; crystal-like, clinging to the strands of our hair, almost— almost, and yet not there. Antisipasyon (Anticipation) is a poem in the Bikol language from V.D.T. Nierva's first book 'Antisipasyon'. The pience is read by the author.