A few days ago, I told Jack about a poem I had read while we were in Pennsylvania last fall. The poem, crossing the Pacific via an ancient boat, was written by a queer descendant of fierce guerrilla men from the island of Samar. His name is James Prudenciado. Made of Saltwater, published by Balangay Books, is his first collection.
I told Jack that one of Prudenciado's poems remind me of his Harvey Milk poem, which he read to me when we first started dating. He wrote the poem on May 22, 1988 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Harvey Milk's murder. He read it in public at the historic steps of the old main building at Penn State. Jack said he liked James' poem better; it was more defiant. I couldn't agree more. Read his collection and you'll see how it defies so much more. Language. Empire. Time. Social injustice.
I asked Jack to read James' poem aloud because I was having a hard time pronouncing the word "apparel". I ended up using his recording. Jack very rarely reads in public. But when he does, people say amazing things about his reading. This is what Jack wrote thirty years ago during the 10th Anniversary of Harvey Milk's murder:
Put your arm around me in the mall.
Kiss me in the movies and at lunch.
Spoil me with kisses in the park.
Rub my back with lotion at the beach.
Dance with me when songs we like come on.
Rest upon my shoulder on the bus.
Share my bed on weekend visits home.
Start the water for a bath for two.
Talk about me when your parents call.
Tell the neighbors we’re not roommates just.
Hold my hand not noticing in town.
Call me babe no matter who can hear.
Hug me – never mind if someone sees.
Put your arm around me in the mall.
In the video, Jack reads James' "Dear Gay Boy" along with audio clips from wedding vows we made to each other on July 19, 2014. Many thanks to Balangay Books for sharing James Prudenciado's work to the world.
Copies of the book are available in the Philippines through Mount Cloud and Solidaridad.
Comments