UBE VILLANELLE Joseph Caluya

How can I not embrace

This aesthetic collision Of color and flavor; my taste buds are amazed.

Nostalgia of my childhood days, With each bite I envision

The endless blankets of purple engulfing me in a warm embrace.

I finally give myself long-overdue praise, Aim to bring into fruition

The fact that I, too, can amaze.

Reminiscent of Manila streets bathed in amber haze, People flaunting their joyful disposition–A part of me I’m not ashamed to embrace.

Some will mock and sneer, but who cares? I’m unfazed. Little do they know of this punchy purple ammunition; I was born to only amaze.

I carry the silent confidence in my parents’ gaze, Conviction in my decision

To fully embrace This purple yam that I am, never ceasing to amaze.

A poem about how amazing ube is and how I'm proud that it is a part of my culture i had to train my parents to say “i love you” and for years i was bitter they couldn’t love me the same way other parents did their own now i wish i could go back and tell them their love was always enough i just couldn’t see past the generational trauma to see the unspoken all the i love you’s in the bowls of fruit cut just the way i like them