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SAFEHOUSES
after Manuel Puig
DAY 5
I mentioned the poet from Macchu Pichu, you said you've read all his works.
You mentioned the priest from Zamboanga, I knew where they were hiding him.
Exchanging life, events
that made that small room expand
that made you forget about armalites, guerilla tactics, tourniquets and CB
radios
made me forget about revolutions, newswires
executions and newspapers.
DAY 9
I said:
Writing is the net that catches my falling life.
You laughed.
You asked Why always tragedy?
DAY 11
She told me that places have always taken care of her
from the green, quiet mountains of Badian
to the green boisterous mountains of Davao.
She dreamt of other places...there was one...
DAY 12
You said:
Insurgency is inevitable under increased militarization.
I laughed
I asked Why always political?
DAY 14
I told her that places have always taken care of me
from the bustling streets of Manila
to the comfortable avenues of Paris.
I've dreamt of other places...like the one she told me...
DAY 19
It is the one evening we are allowed to go out into the veranda
and I tell you about
Gibran's Selma
and other stories of lifelasting love.
You cried quietly under that peaceful night, making me want to embrace
you
and I did.
DAY 65
I am sitting in a hotel room with a window overlooking
a brown river in the middle of this old, sprawling city you
always dreamt of going to,
wrapped in a thick, brown woolen jacket you've
always wanted to own and typhoons and humidity
Davao would not allow.
I lay in this hotel room bed, safe, my eyes resting on the inverted portrait
of this
city's pride, Bonaparte.
I think of revolutions and what you said laughing:
They have abandoned barricades and have returned to perfume.
DAY 66
I imagine you behind a balete tree, safe
but ears always diligent, listening for approaching vehicles.
You may still be hiding in a delicadeza moonlight
telling someone else
about your beloved Badian
and its coral reefs and
luscious green cogon
this somewhere I will always dream of going.
originally published in CLAMOUR dyke 'zine
Editor: Renee Gladman
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