Martial Law Babies

— for all those who were children during Martial Law in the Philippines, September 21, 1972 – January 17, 1981

Ask me what it means to be island-bred
I will tell you how we used to travel

For hours on a bus to feel sand
Beneath us, pinked with bodies of dead

Coral and mollusk, traces of saltwater
Oyster. How unfancy we were, making

Bubbles from pink hibiscus flowers
How the other best part of the day was

Sweetest pink shaved ice topped with milk powder
Monsooned and gorged, we always meant to give

More than we took. But I don’t speak for everyone
I am someday and halfway, tell me

How to return to you unyearned
On a bus, unfettered, pink-lanterned.