The Lines of My Hands
Marie Fe: the length of your metaphysics matches my own in
your smile.
Ruby: a piece of the sun bursts forth from our mouths
and now I know the worth of gold.
Janet: atomic rock staying strong in the midst of Death as he takes
your boys into the earth, see that I can taste the salt of your eyes.
Roberto Jr: patient bird of paradise, whisper a harana from the trees at twilight
so that I may sleep with you in my ears.
Daisy: beauteous capabilities sprout from the roots of your mind.
to bloom under your shadow is to effloresce intelligently.
Gilbert: the gentle bend of a blade understands that your force surpasses its own
and I can only wish for your metallic intensity.
Rojer: the movements of water upon the shore realize grace
as they meet your toes in the sand.
Rhoi: the mapping of the stars is the simplicity of you.
open those capsules of light, little brother.
Jessa Marie: fragments of the world reflect in your palms.
hold them to the sky and absorb their warmth, little sister.
Nanay: cries curl the black of my hair
and I can wrap, finally, the tenderness of genetics between my fingertips.
Tatay: steady remnants of pride fall like leaves at your feet.
my stubbornness echoes at the same tempo.
Mom: kept promises are kept close to the soul.
this is where my gratitude refuses to leave.
Dad: never an ocean’s distance from a kalamansi tree,
salamat po, for giving me two families, for
tracing the lines of my hands.