Carabao Dreams

how how the carabao said to me in a dream
refute the conspiring evils
prove the strength that wills your breath
hold tightly to poetry and loved ones
as a book would bind its pages
share your story through art and song
fix your eyes on the stars so your voice
can be heard
"taas noo, iho, taas noo!"

you are more than
what they say
what they think
what they see

pinoy is more than
brown and alibata
barongs and tinikling
pansit and Goldilocks
you will understand

queer is more than
cocks and A.I.D.S.
white men and the Castro
June and pride marches
you will understand

life is more than
angst and depression
money and aspiration
wanting and loneliness
you will understand

how how the carabao said to me
tell the people your story
don't think an amendment frees your
speech
if they cover their ears and refuse to listen
yell if you have to
you do not have a choice
this is not a request
you need to be heard

how how the carabao said to me
rush out into the world in perfect
surrender
give in to the sun as she licks your face
and thighs
offer no words when the winds
whip at your backside
respect the moon
yield up limber arms in reverence to
the stars
for darkness is also a gift
and silence can be a friend
go out into the world and do these things and you will understand

how how the carabao said to me
sadness is not the absence of happiness
but your incapacity to witness its presence
your soul is not just a bird taking up
wings
your soul is the sea
your spirit is the shore
your mind is the black expanse
that births planets and consumes galaxies
you are not only part of the revolution
but you are the revolution
when you stop building comfortable walls
and notice that your feet are planted
on the same ground on which millions
have stood
you will understand
you will understand
you will understand

you are more than pansit
A.I.D.S.
and depression

how how the carabao said to me in a dream
this is just a dream
these are just my words
breathe life into them
assign them feet
make them real

how how the carabao said to me

how

how

Timothy Arevalo, age 18
from You Hear Me?


carabao - water buffalo
"taas noo, iho, taas noo!" - "Look up, son, look up!"
pinoy - a Filipino person
alibata - ancience Tagalog script
barong - traditional Filipino shirt
tinikling - traditional Filipino dance
pansit - rice noodles