Hi there.
You’re here again.
Though I don’t think you ever left.
You come from the ground right?
I saw you yesterday afternoon.
When the sun was setting.
Can you even talk?
No, I guess you can’t.
So why do you do what you do?
Why do you roll outside our house.
I know.
You’re not hurting anyone.
Do you just like doing this?
Or are you compelled to?
Is this something your kind just does?
Are you rolling away from me?
No matter, you do it so slow anyway.
All I need is a few steps.
Was this your home before?
I mean before we moved in.
Art you the spirit of the former owner?
Forever doomed to remain where you were in life.
You’re rolling again.
Am I making you uncomfortable with my questions?
Or am I right?
Were you human in a past life?
Or a spirit bound to the environment, disturbed by huans encroaching on your land?
That was poetic, I know.
At least you’re not making fun of me.
Not like the others.
It’s ok
You don’t want to hear my problems, I get it.
But it’s just nice to talk to someone.
Well, something in your case.
I don’t have anything to do now.
I guess I’ll just talk.
And you just listen.
So today was the first day of school.
Catholic school.
I wonder, would you shy away from the cross?
Or would it have no effect?
Don’t worry I wont try it.
Just a fleeting thought.
Anyway, after prayers.
I was stuck with the rest of the girls in line.
The priests were looking at me funny.
Not that I know what that means.
It was just exhausting.
I couldn’t wait for the bus back home.
Dreading tomorrow.
You’re lucky, you know?
Never having to be someone you’re not.
Just rolling the night away.
And following the same path.
Every night.
It’s getting late.
My mom will be looking for me.
See you tomorrow.
Thank you.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the The description in CURRENT RESEARCH IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY, Vol. 4 = Jose` S. Buenconsejo : Songs and Gifts at the Frontier : Person and Exchange in the Agusan Manobo Possession Ritual. Philippines. Routledge, NY & London, 2002. Pg 92
Tokol-Noñgo iIllustration by Joel Bulagnir
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