PROJECT GRACE-UP
NATIONAL LGBTQ+
WRITERS WORKSHOP
Laro ng Anino
Michael Thomas Nelmida
I. Posas
Sa apat na sulok ng
haligi
sa pagitan ng rehas –
saksi
sa karahasan
na aking naranasan
Handa ka bang marinig ang aking kwento?
Nangangatog ang aking tuhod
Nakaluhod hindi,
nagdadasal
isang
ritwal
II. Batuta
Matigas
hinampas
sa aking mukha
Humandusay, tumulo ang
hindi, dugo
doon sa may butas
likido
malansa
mabaho
parang zonrox
mantikang
madulas
Bumayo. Bumayo. Bumayo
Parang kabayo
Sa bilis
hinahabol
ng oras, tao,
tumakbo
kumaripas
sa paglabas
Naalala ko
kung
paano
kami kumunta ng
“Titi ng pulis matulis”
Tuwang- tuwa / lumuluha
III. Baril
Habang umaalingawngaw
Sige ka lang sa pagkayod at pagsayaw
Namilipit ang aking paa
Habang sumisigaw
Hihiyaw. Humihiyaw. Hihiyaw
Sa isang pagkasa
Nakatutok ang gatilyo
Sa aking sintido
Pumutok – sumabog ang ulo
Game of Shadows
I. Handcuffs
In the four corners of
the foundation
in between the railings––
witness
to the violence
I experienced
Are you ready to hear my story?
My knees are shaking
Kneeling no,
praying
a
ritual
II. Baton (also, “club”)
Something hard
hit
my face
Fell flat, it trickled down
no, blood
from the hole
liquid
the stench
it stank
like zonrox
sticky
cooking oil
Thrust. Thrusting. Thrust.
Like a horse
In speed
chased
by time, people,
it ran
it rushed
to get out
I remember
how
we
sang
“The policemen’s cock is sharp”
Overjoyed / weeping
III. Gun
While it echoed
There you kept working and dancing
My feet writhed
While screaming
Will scream. Screaming. Will scream.
With one cocking
The trigger was pointed
At my temple
It fired –– the head exploded.