Arikulay Arata Wata made a banner of Layag Sug. I love this banner. He posted in Iranaon languages, "Pekababayaan aken giyaya iplalis o manga pagari tano sa Solog a "Layag Sug!". Seketano peman na antonaa i ipelalis? So sinta o Kasila. Mkkkkkkkkkkkk… Neldy Jolo kataya so banner.” Shaiya Pandapat said, "Opama na mga pipiya so mga Isulogen mkkkk..." Aydow, salamat nari Arata Wata. Mapiya ini a banner. I have written a poem about this. Samantha also wrote about it separately. These are the poems.
LAYAG SUG IS MY LIFE
What is Layag Sug?
How come you're not answering?
Why are you asking?
For me to know
Why, isn’t it to bully me?
No. I'm just plainly asking.
Why is it so hard for you to answer?
I don’t know why the question arises now.
I suddenly realized I don't know the meaning of it.
Aha, for you what is it?
What is Layag Sug?
Is it a signature on every statement you make?
Or a line you share with someone?
It's a signature on every statement
It is also a line I share to make Sulu familiar with people today
So what is Layag Sug?
What do you think?
I don't know, a Sulu boat?
What do you think?
You can share what it is so we could explore
I will give you my meaning
After you give your interpretation of it
You're not answering, are you?
Just say so if you're not
I don't have the entire night waiting
Layag Sug is about my life
About my longing for independence for my beloved homeland Sulu
Literally, it means Sulu Sail!
That’s Layag Sug seen through my lens of thought
And my experience in life!
This poem was drawn from a conversation with Sulu Gypsy over a year ago.
12:44AM, 9 March 2013, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Let Us All Save Peace. Layag Sug!
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LAYAG SUG
I have not seen this sea, which you
speak of so fondly every once in a while.
but I'd notice the slowed-down
breathing, the long pause
when you tell stories of old people
that died, of brave men that once
sailed with their boats
to cross vast continents
and trade, and then sail again
for home where they’d find wives and
children waiting for their return.
You are still out there sailing
tonight, and I am here
hoping you'd reach home soon.
I know where that home is.
But you have to fight to get there.
I could wait for centuries
and be still until
you're home finally. Don't fret.
Sail, love, wherever that sea
with its raging current
takes you.
And when you reach shore one day,
You'll find me there standing,
waiting for you.
(This piece was made by Samantha when I challenged her to write
something about Layag Sug a few weeks ago.
I am posting with her permission.)
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