Ang Akon Utod/My Brother

How much he had changed...

Akon natyempuhan ang akon utod,

malinong nga gakatulog.

Tandaan ko pa ang tyempo sang una.

Ligad tatlo katuig, di gani lima...

Dungan kami gatulog kung hapon.

Kung galigo, ga-agaway pa sang  habon.

Daw pulbos gid ang amon hamot.

Patas pa kami nga inosente kag mabuot.

Indi gid kami mabulag kaangay sang duha ka tuko.

Baw! Daw ano ko gid kapalangga si toto!

Ginhimutadan ko pa ang iya hitsura...

Ang akon utod, indi ko na kilala.

---------English Translation---------

I chanced upon my brother,

sleeping peacefully.

I can still remember the old times.

Three years ago or maybe five.

We took afternoon naps together,

       fought over a soap during baths,

       smelled so much like powder.

We were both innocent and good.

Like two geckos, we were inseparable.

Oh! How I love my brother!

I scrutinized his face...

I don't know him anymore.

Author's Note

We had a poem-writing activity in our class and we had to write using our dialect (Hiligaynon). We did this for ten minutes. I have never been comfortable in my own dialect since I'm very much in love with English but I was surprised when I was having fun with Hiligaynon. :) However, I believe the beauty of the original version is incomparable to the English one. More often than not, a poem's power is lost when translated.)

I sent RRs for this because I'm proud of my dialect. :)

P.S. "Toto" is an endearment for a brother.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

A great poem and a great tribute to your brother. He should be proud to have a sis like you...Bravo

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Thanks a lot, Sami! :)

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)

[Diana]

I like the last 2 lines. "I scrutinized his face.../I don't know him anymore." I felt that way about my little brother, especially when I went abroad for a summer and when I came back he was taller than me (which he wasn't before I left). Hah hah.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Yes, the growth spurt of the teenage boys is surprising and sometimes annoying, too. :) Thanks, Diana. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

i love the translation...wish i spoke Hiligaynon. i will look it up to learn more .. your poem puts me there ..i can see the sunshine on the faces and smell the soap and powder... the turn in the last verse is brilliant... woke me up this morning... nice job says i
E.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Haha, thanks a lot, Einstein! Hiligaynon is a beautiful dialect. It also has a sweet, endearing tone. Our city has been labeled as "the City of Love" (at least in our country) because of the musical tone of the dialect. :) Glad you liked this.

[SyberRose]

Lovely piece and yes people do change as they get older...nothing is ever the same as it was...Rose

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Estrangement is heartbreaking. Thank you, Rose! :)

[EmaleighLynn]

This is lovely. I'm sorry I couldn't read it in your dialect, I'm sure it sounds fantastic.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

I might try to do an audio version. Thanks, Ema! :)

[EmaleighLynn]

You're welcome! I think an audio version is a great idea!

[Laminators Dubai]

I compare with my own....as usual..


Its so amazingly written yet it feels so frustrating.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Why frustrating, Glitz?

[Laminators Dubai]

that you dont even know him anymore,
i have a brother, or should i say mr. bother.lol
read morethat you dont even know him anymore,
i have a brother, or should i say mr. bother.lol

i cant even imagine.....this.....so sad....

[Michael G. Smith]

I like the smelled so much like powder. powder smell for me is synonymous with innocence.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Yes, exactly. :)

[Emerald Seas]

An innocence in this that is joyful and pure. Your last 2 lines show how growing can change us, creating rifts or separations that we couldn't fathom as a child. Well done.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Indeed. Thank you so much! :)

[Laminators Dubai]

I compare with my own....as usual..


Its so amazingly written yet it feels so frustrating.