Sinemagad su baradusa
Nakadtulik si mata
Timindeg si kilay
Na nakagkenu si ngiyawa.
Di gatalima sa katigan ni Ama
Sinta a nakatingguma
Masla sakit ku dalpa
Tiyuba sa basa ni Bapa.
Di ga ampun nu tuhan i manyaba ganggula,
Indaw’n ka kalu-kalu na maawa,
Magatus a badas
Paawan sa dalpa.
Nakaidsa si ginawa
Endaw tampal i tiyuba?
Sakit a nakatingguma?
Sangat aku a nakandusa?
Tantu!
Limengi si ginawa ku biwang, na midsulanga su dalil
Midtulik sa kawan, na midsumbak su tapsir
Dusa a masla tig ni silan antu.
[Translation in English]
Sinner
The sinner walked through
Their eyes glanced
Their brows lifted
And their souls were struck with shock.
Unacceptable to the words of Father
A cursed arrived
A great disease to the community
A catastrophe, in Uncle’s words.
God does not accept such an occurrence
Guide it, so it may be removed
One hundred lashes
Driven out from the community.
The self began to ask:
Where is the catastrophe?
What disease truly came?
Did I really commit a sin?
Truly!
I turned to the left, and proof crossed
Glanced to the right, interpretations collided
A great sin, in their words.
Jamil E. Mabandis, 19, is an aspiring Bangsamoro writer. His work has also appeared in the Bangsamoro Literary Review. He loves experimenting with poetry and creative nonfiction, especially about Bangsamoro.