Parabula / Parable
Tula ni
Bienvenido Lumbera
(Kay Carlisle Floyd, kumpositor ng operang Susannah.)
Nang si Susana’y lumusong sa batis,
katawan niya’y niyakap ng tubig.
Sa nangakasaksing mga matanda,
bumalong sa dibdib ang pagnanasa…
Batang katawan ay sumbat ng unos
sa lamang tigang ng mga nanubok.
Bumuhos na baha ng sumpa’t poot
ang nasang kanina’y lihim na agos…
Nang si Susana’y umahon sa pampang,
katawan niya’y dinamtan ng halay.
Sa matandang ugat at lamang luoy,
tuyong kabataa’y muling dumaloy.
(For Carlisle Floyd, composer of the opera Susannah.)
When Susannah stepped into the brook,
the water embraced her body.
Among the old men who chanced to see her,
in the heart desire began to flow.
Her young body was a reproach of heavy rains
on the arid flesh of the voyeurs.
Desire which was only a secret current a few moments ago
became a raging flood of wrath and curse.
When Susannah went ashore,
her naked body was wrapped with shame.
In old veins and withered flesh,
sere youth flowed again.