You have crossed the border
of how many provinces,
traversing rivers and mountains
to mark a change
in belonging.
You have walked the line
of life and death
over cogon and under
a forest’s gloom.
In all that time
you have forgotten
to have your hair cut.
Now it has grown past your ears,
a curtain over
half of your face.
Your dreams, with enough time,
now flow past
your nape, cascading
down your shoulders.
Kiko Caramat was born in Makati City and only started living in Davao City this year. He plans to continue his studies in BA Creative Writing in UP Diliman after finishing his stint as a full-time volunteer for an NGO.