Mga Tanaga* ni Xam

Romel G. Samson's "Tanagas" are of the count 8-8-8-8. Research shows however that this form exists in Philippine Literature as dalit. John Torraba verifies dalit to be a type of short Filipino poem, consisting of four lines with eight syllables each.

Like the Tanaga, Dalit is a dying poetic form.

There is a controversy regarding its origin. One school of thought states that the dalit is Spanish in origin, particularly because its syllabication is even or pares. Hence, it is said that the Spanish popularized the dalit in the Philippines. Another view holds that the dalit is indigenous, but the friars used its popularity to promote Catholicism, in the form of meditative verses. (Wikipedia)

Mga Tanaga* ni Xam

Hindi na makalilipad
Ang mga ibong napadpad,
Sa langit ng kapuspalad
Pangarap ay di matupad.

***

Maging dagat sa pagkati
Ay humahalik sa labi
Ng buhanginang may hikbi
May pusong pinintakasi.


***
Pusong tibok ay masasal
Ay isa lamang ang dasal,
Langit nawa ay dumatal
Sa pagluyog niyang banal.

- Romel G. Samson, Philippines

* Note: Technically Dalit.