i dreamt i was in luneta park   where mama & papa   took us on weekends
except i was alone   no trace   of another person   as i stared into horizon
sweat trickled   from my forehead   slid under my collar   i glanced down
at the uniform   i was wearing   suddenly aware   i was trudging on dirt
instead of the concrete   i normally played in   saline filled my nostrils
i knew   without looking   manila bay was behind me   sun batting down
an urge   to turn around   seized me   i halted   to stop   my march
shots exploded   symphony of fireworks   like new year’s eve
a chill   penetrated   numbness in my limbs   collapsed to my knees
blackout

>>

my class   went on a field trip   to ayala museum   followed dioramas
encasing rooms   philippine history war people   like doll houses
made of straw & moss   with clay figures   i perused   my reflection
staring at me   [where did it end]   joking with a friend   in the corner
a man stood   alone   two rows of soldiers   rifles pointed   behind him
[why didn’t he turn]          my dream   flooded back   i read the plaque
execution of josé rizal   a chill   goosebumps   that air conditioning