Paleontology

By | 1 March 2018

for Victorio Sugbo y Rojas

Grandfather, you had left long before
You even heard my very first gasp of air.

Only these papers wrapped in
Manila paper are all I have of you.

I had long wanted to see you
And knew this was a long shot.

Father is gone. So is mother.
On my table I place

Your Ateneo diploma de mercantil
Your marriage contract with grandmother

This roto picture when you ran for city mayor
The twelve land titles, your letters to grandmother

This brownish piece of cloth that graphs the streets of our house
This cursive Spanish-worded document with your signature.

I arrange your papers,
Hoping I would see you here.


This poem first appeared in Madras Courier on February 4, 2017.

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