I come from adventurous watery spirits

Who traveled far and wide

Hopping island to island

Across ocean waters salty

Hawk eyes on sea legs

Joyous laughter navigating

No destination in mind—

I come from the Pacific rushing Ilog River

Cradled by sugar cane stalks bound by mountain wild boars

Nestled against supertyphoons deflecting Japanese bayonets

I come from my mother’s waters.

I come from a fervent old town San Juan River

Pinaglabanan church waters bloodied bolos chasing

American guns Spanish armors down the steep hill galloping

I come from my father’s river.

I come from fertile bounty

That feed the body

Feed the soul of the tribe

Enough

Not an ounce more

Not an ounce less.

I come from two rivers

Still flowing from a sturdy iron heart

Across ocean waters salty

Along breezy island edges

Floating

Held up

Held firm

Hawk eyes on sea legs.