As I hold my breath
through the waters of Palawan,
| meet a striped fish.
The striped fish is curious,
as curious as a Cat.
Our gazes meet —
stripes dart across the water.
As safe as it sounds,
| still hold my breath.
ls ita shark? Is it a plane?
No, it's a striped human.
Striped fish meets a striped human.
I see them interact with gentleness
and harmony.
It's safe, the fish whispers.
In a matter of moments.
singularity turns into a pluriverse.
Lines move in many directions,
some of which intersect.
I look around, on one side
is an endiess depth of vastness,
on the other side, a glimpse of home.
As I exhale to move.
the picture becomes clearer.
The fish finds refuge in the reef,
along with other marine beings.
My body begins to float away
from the bleached habitat.
Let that sink in.
Beams of sunlight penetrate the waters.
It's getting warm.
Warmth is ok, warmth is ok?
I can't breathe.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Youre not alone, we are many,
as much as there are fishes in the sea.
ls it bio?
ls it diversity?


