I WAS BORN ON A MAT

I was born on a mat
Airyn R. Lentija

I was born on a mat
dried coconut leaves woven
by the hands of my ancestors;
the great heirs of the earth’s dust.

I am a farmer’s daughter
The walls of my dreams were burgled before I realized
I was dreaming…

I have the command over mountains
Over fields and fruit bearing trees.

I am the smoke that rises up
to shoo the pests on the flowers
My hands, they reflect the soil

From my first breath up to the present
The scent of solitude…of penitence.,
has never left the tip of my nose,
I'’ve worked like an animal;

Skipping meals for six dollars an hour,
Hiding my tears when I wanted to cry;
Tied my tongue when I wanted to speak,

I am like the shadow in the night
No one has spoken of my bitterness,
Nobody saw my pains.
I’ve been in hell once in a while-

Don’t talk to me about the worst
I am a daughter of poverty.

What hardships have I yet to taste?

(This poem was first used by Asian Human Rights Commission's E-publication,Human Rights and Culture)