GUAM
was never my name.
I was Mariana when
galleons rode me—
Sachiko when
the next guys ripped me up
like cherry blossoms—
Camarin when
the hairy ones moved back,
lock, stock and barrel.
I’m part of the coral:
when the sun blares, there I am—
Starfish, blue as sky and sea,
edges crisp as horizons.
Earthquake won’t break me.
Typhoon won’t shake me.
Call me what you like.
I am here. Here I stay.