Merlinda Bobis

Side by side

HOMECOMING

the sea clings
to the roof of my mouth,
but the tide of my heart
cannot swell.

only this salt-taste,
this dumb remembering,
sharp as the flavour
of fish dried on the beach.

© 2004, Merlinda Bobis
From: Pag-uli Pag-uwi Homecoming. Poetry in three tongues
Publisher: University of Santo Tomas Press, Manila

Merlinda Bobis

(Philippines, 1959)

Filipino-Australian writer Merlinda Bobis has published in three languages (English, Pilipino, Bikol) across multiple genres. Her novels, short story and poetry books, and plays have received various awards, including the Prix Italia, the Steele Rudd Award for the Best Published Collection of Australian Short Stories, the Philippine National Book Award, and the Australian Writers’ Guild Award.
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HOMECOMING

the sea clings
to the roof of my mouth,
but the tide of my heart
cannot swell.

only this salt-taste,
this dumb remembering,
sharp as the flavour
of fish dried on the beach.

From: Pag-uli Pag-uwi Homecoming. Poetry in three tongues