I remember the lightning
The smell of burning skin
The bright flash
Made me see
The caiman
It stole my body away
And took it for its own
Separated me from my flesh
The knife
They took it from me
And put it in my back
Cutting my soul apart
My grave marked my new home
The roots welcomed me
They nourished my spirit
And I became one
With the branches and the leaves
You will never own me
With your blades and steel
My home will remain
We will not be cut down
Not by the likes of you
Say your prayers
Sing your songs
I survived the Lightning
I survived the Caiman
I survived the knife
I will survive you
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Poem written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by Mangmangkik description in El Folk-lore Filipino. Isabelo de los Reyes, trans. Dizon and Peralta-Imson. 1994. (Original Spanish Manuscript Printed 1889)
Mangmangkik Illustration by by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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