7,107

Originally appears in "Read This Magazine."

Rain rattles like rice grain
Across the roof of palm leaves.
Thunder as thick as the air
Vibrates the hut-walls; Grandma warns
That witches are cackling again.

Mountains tower like forest-back behemoths,
Protecting the jewels of fish that align
The space between each island—a diamond ring
We could afford, shimmering on each finger.

The naked children bathe the next day
After the witches are silent. The river:
A friend of the people; Grandpa taught respect
Of the land, the giver of crops, swine,
And fresh water cascading down the mountain
That protects us; police were for mainland Manila.

School is a bike-ride away; Uncle, on his rusty one-gear,
Takes me everyday, promising a future: a buffet
We learn Americans have—of food and opportunity;
The teacher (as white as chalk) shows me puppet hands
From the brown paper bags that house my stir-fry.

After school: an evening spent chasing chickens
And watching Mother climb the trees for coconuts;
Father—from the Army—doesn't approve, but loves
The rice cakes that simmered in their milk.

Fresh-caught fish sizzle on the open fires
While the neighbors all congregate; acoustic
Guitars hum against the ocean's rhythm,
Evoking the drunken dance steps and silhouettes
Against the setting sun. Auntie gave the wettest kisses,
Pinching my cheeks and wishing me goodnight.

Cousins dot the floors, full from the pork adobo;
The peppercorns still sting my mouth. Yawning,
I wedge myself into a corner, using a tan leg
As a pillow and dream of tomorrow's salu-salo:
More cheap beer, dancing, and Mother's halo-halo.

Author's Note

This poem is about family life in the Philippines--the title is the amount of islands the Philippines comprises.

Reviews

[Lee Tran]

I felt like I was living back in my home country of Vietnam enjoying the traditions and cultures while still embracing the everyday humor and awkward moments with family. This piece is descriptive, vivid and definitely an enjoyable read for your first time here. Wow we got a real poet...OMG RUN FOR THE HILLS! HAHA j/k Will.

[Nocturne]

I saw this in a friend's library and I thought, hey, I should read it. Might be good. And lo and behold, a readable piece of writing on this site! It was a nice surprise. I'd give some critique and shred a few syllables, but it's been published and isn't up for revisions, I'd think.

Thanks for the read; I enjoyed it.

[flaneur]

This is a great poem, with languid descriptions that make me yearn to see this Shangri-La for myself. What is the story behind the title?

"Yawning, / I wedge myself into a corner, using a tan leg / As a pillow". This is a favorite.

[Azalee Schmetterling]

This is wonderful. It really gives a good descroption of a culture I am not a part of or have expereinced. The images are vivid and the subtle contrasts to the culture here are very powerful in making the contrast.

[Alaina]

The images in this poem are beautiful. The opening stanza is my favorite. It really grabs the reader makes them want to keep going on this journey with you. Well done