It also reflects the struggles of women in reclaiming their identity and agency in a world that imposes rigid roles upon them. The speaker's association with the widow symbolizes both personal and societal expectations, which they ultimately seek to redefine which is according to Manor, S. (2023). This theme aligns with modern feminist discourse, which advocates for women's autonomy in shaping their own narratives beyond societal constraints.

Additionally, according to Matlabe-Danke, S. (2024). that it also discusses how widowhood rites are often gendered, with numerous rules designed to control widowed women. These practices can infringe upon women's rights and perpetuate patriarchal norms.

The poem "Agua De Viuda" is a contemplative work about widowhood and the expectations society has of it. The speaker in the poem struggles with what it means to be referred to as a "widow" even if she hasn't lost a husband. Using linguistic and cultural references, she compares her own experiences with conventional definitions of widowhood. The poem's themes are longing, sadness, and defiance of imposed identities.

Its Literary Traditions and Forms

1.  Filipino Feminist Literature - Cruz's writing is consistent with feminist literature in the Philippines, which aims to investigate female identity, autonomy, and agency while also challenging patriarchal standards (Hernandez, 2015).

2. Queer Literature in the Philippines – Cruz is a writer of LGBTQ+ stories who adds to the expanding corpus of queer writing in the Philippines that addresses issues of love, gender identity, and social expectations (Garcia, 2008).

3. Lyric Poetry – Agua De Viuda is an example of lyric poetry since it uses metaphor and sensory imagery to convey the author's feelings and thoughts.

4. Postcolonial Philippine Literature – By challenging colonial and traditional effects on language, gender roles, and societal institutions, the poem participates in postcolonial debate (San Juan, 1998).

The character development in Agua de Viuda revolves around the speaker's evolving insights of widowhood. They also associate it with their grandmother's grief and struggles, seeing it as a state of loneliness and sorrow. However, as the poem make progress, the speaker reflects on the emotional losses and begins to redefine widowhood beyond its traditional meaning. In the end, they embrace a more personal and resilient interpretation, by comparing themselves to sanggumay orchids, which bloom after loss.

Stylistic Elements:

Symbolism - The sanggumay orchids symbolize rebirth, resilience, and the ability to thrive despite loss. This challenges traditional notions of widowhood as purely sorrowful.

Imagery - The poet uses strong sensory details, particularly the scent of a widow, to evoke emotions of loneliness and nostalgia.

Reflective Tone - The poem's introspective and personal tone allows readers to connect with the speaker's inner struggles and growth.

This transformation contributes to the poem's overall meaning by challenging societal expectations of grief and isolatiuon. It also highlights the idea that widowhood or any form of emotional loss does not have to mean despair but instead symbolize growth, renewal, and the strength to move forward.

As for the context behind the creation of Agua de Viuda, there are a lot of symbolism and cultural references that were influenced by the author’s ideologies and background that further the text’s meaning. Examining its historical context, Agua de Viuda sheds light on the post-colonial Philippines, a nation characterized by a complex history that has led to rigid gender roles and Catholic morality. (Palacios, 2021) Cruz has also formerly touched on subjects regarding feminist and queer ideas in her debut anthology Women Loving (2010). As for its cultural context, the poem is about a widow, who in the Philippines is usually regarded as a mournful figure and usually wears a black luto, but Cruz subverts this stereotype by including imagery of rebellious clothing like red silk stockings. Next is the poem’s social context: Cruz, being an openly lesbian writer, critiques the societal stigma around unmarried or queer women and frames their solitude as empowerment rather than pity. (Manalansan, 2003) Through its symbolism, imagery, and queer activism, Agua De Viuda critiques the Philippines’ rigid norms while empowering widows and women as a whole. The context gives readers an idea of the constraints widows would go through and Cruz’s defiance of these norms and gives them a broader perspective of womanhood as a whole.