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Ayn Frances dela Cruz

Ayn Frances dela Cruz is an English professor at St. Jude College, Manila. She is currently studying for her MA in Comparative Literature at the University of the Philippines. She was a fellow for the 7th UST National Writers Workshop for English poetry. Her work has been published in The Literary Apprentice Light, Philippine Graphic, Philippine Panorama and Perlas ng Silangan; and will be appearing in Nimrod International Journal of Poetry and Prose. She has edited Deluge/Tanglawan (St. Scholastica’s College, Manila), Longos (Cavite Young Writers Association), and Overpass (Statefields School Inc.) Some of her artworks have been exhibited in Buntisan Art Experience and Babae sa Sinapupunan ng Lalaki Exhibit. A vegetarian-bum-poet, she spends her free time walking the streets of Cavite.

Rage

the cold tongue screams
and lashes out at the mouth
that binds it

the hold
of the nose
slip-slides
slip-slides
like tears
forming at the corners of the eyes

the heart is a receptacle
it holds all
holds all but this pain

wash it out
and let it go

but how when the heart
overflows
the mouth waters
and the eyes close

the cold tongue screams
and screams.


Butterfly Carnival

Your head falls
so many black butterflies
on my lap.
I killed the butterflies
wanting to stain their wings red,
dark red.
Your blood 
will appease their flight.

I give myself also,
one pale hand for your two.
And as you hold my hand
you notice that we have
only one.

I let myself be trapped into you
for reasons I cannot fathom.
I know only
I gave birth to butterflies
who shade us now
from your bitter sun.

copyright © Ayn Frances dela Cruz