Rational Insanity
The poetics of love
Initially, I was tempted to write this column in Hiligaynon because the medium used by John Iremil Teodoro in his new book 'Mga Binalaybay sang Paghigugma' is Kiniray-a. However, after reading all the poems in the book which will be launched this coming February 14, 2008 at the Museo Iloilo, I realized that it doesn't really matter what language is used when talking about love because love has a language all its own.
When I opened the first page of John's book I was greeted by a personal favorite of mine which I am sure many of you have also read somewhere else, 'Ang Baboy'. I think this first poem speaks so much of the other poems in the collection. 'Sugot takun nga mangin baboy, kon ang tankal ko mga butkon mo,' a line from the poem, effectively captures the subtlety and restraint of passion of someone who is in love, not only with an 'exclusive 'someone; but someone who is in love with the world, with the elements, with the irony that is life, with the challenge of creativity, and the curse of being a writer. All the poems in the collection manifest a singular voice – the voice of someone who knows what love is, knows how to give it, and knows what the consequences are of loving.
The intense yet delicate imagery in the poems, to quote a few lines from 'Sangka Pamankot', 'Paano ko ibantala ang kahidlaw kang akun tubog kag dila sa tuba kang paghigugma nga wara ko pa matirawan?' exemplifies the poet's expert handling of the language and the elegance of suggestion in poetry; but more than just the long-haired windedness that we get from reading literary critiques, reading John's poetry is a pleasure in itself. I remember one of our mentors saying in one of our workshops that poetry should have 'resonance'. In other words, the charm of reading a poem does not come from the poem itself but from the discreet glimpses into the poet's soul that we are allowed to have. Resonance is what is left within us long after we have read any good poem in particular.
John's tackling of the subject of love in his book ranges from the very mundane, to the classic 'ngoy-ngoy', to the very post modern. Love, being a very overused subject in creative writing, takes on a new life in this particular collection of poems. It is the creativity of the poet that allows him to find love in the most unusual places; in loneliness, 'Nagaisarahanun ako sa idalum kang rabong nga kalatsutsi nga pirang nahut ang pula nga bukad. Ginhani ko sa karamig ang imo ngaran. (Nagaisarahanun Ako)', in the snores of a loved one, 'Pabay-i ang imong horaguk nga mag-amba kanakun kang komposo… (Pangabay sa sangka Mamalaybay)', in the irony of wishful thinking and wakeful sleep, 'Kadya nga gabii indi takun magturog. Si Hayden Christensen abi ginahulat na ako rugto sa lagwerta kang akun damgo. (Reklamo kang Paraturog nga Agi)' and even in rain, 'Nakighilawas ako sa uran kaina samtang nagasulong ang mga bogambilya. Abaw! Ang imong yuhum ginkanta gid nanda kundi nagsaut tana takun nga daw gaga. (Nakighilawas ako sa Uran Kaina)'. These simply show that there are many other ways of tackling an over-used subject, which in this case, is love.
John Iremil Teodoro is a poet whom many young budding writers look up to and this particular collection of his, aside from it being very enjoyable reading, should serve as a reference to those who would like to write, and write well. It is difficult to appreciate poetry which is most often referred to as the most elite of all literary forms, but with this particular collection of John, poetry is brought down to a level that allows more acceptance of the art form while preserving the many conventions of poetry.
There will always be better poems and better poets, but a poet is always his own best poem. As such, even when there are millions of poems out there to read, each will always have the heart and soul of the poet firmly between their lines.
'Mga Binalaybay sang Paghigugma' not only allows us a glimpse into the soul of one John Iremil Teodoro, but it also allows us to hear the beating of his heart, and the heart of every person who has loved, was loved in return, was hurt, was refused, was brushed aside, but went on along life's highway to continue loving…
Be rational; be insane… every once in a while! TTFN! Congratulations John! Marz and I are so grateful that we have you as a mentor, a colleague, but most especially as a really good friend!
I love you all! Happy Valentines! Byers!