Tuesday, January 29, 2008

"Heloise to Abelard" by Angela Manalang Gloria

That I have loved you is beyond denial.
That I have sinned thereby is not so plain.
Call me, O joy, and though your voice were phial
Of hemlock, I would drink of it again.

There is no god to make me now surrender
What startling height of folly we have known,
What now Gomorrha builded on this wonder
Of hellfire surging through our veins alone.

O heady rapture of desire forbidden,
Forbidden lips forever hunting mine!
If to my hunger you are fruit from Eden,
If to my thirst you are nepenthean wine,

If this is sin, then never will I be shriven
Who, drunk with hell, now dare the curse of heaven!

Source: Manlapaz, Edna Zapanta. Angela Manalang Gloria: A Literary Bibliography. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila UP, 1993. 36

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

about 12 years ago...i was 2nd year college student at upmla... i encountered this wonderful poem...i remembered somebody told me to memorize at least one poem in your lifetime... i chose this poem...everince, iv been reciting this to myself, at times i can associate with the feelings, at times just like a song, humming to its melodies in my mind...the poem is and will always be in my heart.. thank you ms. gloria