Nursery Rhymes carefully weaves itself between song and poem, often both, to construct a vivid and considered piece. What inspired this poem and how did you approach its craft?
Singing was one of the last things that kept my Lola and I connected when she developed dementia. She raised me when I was young and her singing Bahay Kubo was one of my earliest memories of home.
I know that you are a stunning illustrator/comics artist as well; how does your experience in these different disciplines impact the way you create imagery in your work?
Visuals help me make more sense of my ideas and I use it as a device to bring others to my inner world. Adding visuals to my words through comics or having the imagery be the focal point of my writing turns the work into a shared experience. Connection is an important part of my creative practice. I hope whatever I create helps people feel more understood or have a better understanding of issues important to me.
Your poem uses the Filipino nursery rhyme Bahay Kubo as a framing device. As a writer in diaspora I really appreciated the use of something from your childhood as a connection to a homeland. Could you speak further on your use of this song and how it enriched your poem?
I left the Philippines when I was 6 years old. Even though Tagalog is my native tongue, I often find myself out of practice when I’m away from home too long – especially now when I’m not living near family. It’s an easy way for me to feel disconnected and homesick. Language is such a powerful catalyst – a metaphysical vehicle that can transport you from one place to another. Humming along to ‘Bahay Kubo’, reciting the names of native vegetables and reminiscing about lush wild life brings me back home.
Where can our readers find more of your work?
You can grab one of my zines/comics and check out my illustrations under the alias Creepy Cheese at www.creepycheese.com or on Instagram @thecreepycheese.
Interviewed by Munira Tabassum Ahmed
Hyades Magazine 