Firstborn
by Luisa Igloria
(first published in TriQuarterly, fall/winter 1986)

The firstborn has the power to heal the breach between families
especially when there has been an elopement or misunderstanding.

The firstborn basks in her parents’ affection.
They rub her legs in the sunshine and blow loud kisses on her belly.
Grandparents and the rest of the family circle close, like many
     embraces.

The firstborn inherits the carabao, and with the maya bird
spends his early years riding its back through the paddies, calling
     the wind.

The firstborn lies in the duyan, rocked to sleep with lullabies. It will be
at least three years before she is taught to watch over her sleeping
     baby brother.

The firstborn is given the tongue of the roasted pig to suck on
during the christening party. He will grow to be quick with words.

The firstborn has his stomach bound with a triangle of cloth, to guard
     against colic.
When the cord dries and falls off, his mother keeps it in a hanky
     pinned next to her heart.

When his sisters and brothers follow, she strings the dried stumps
     together
and knots them into the same cloth, breathing a prayer that all
their lives they will be close as this and know it.

The firstborn will receive new clothes and shoes when the family can
     afford these.
Gifts are not withheld from the others, only deferred to better times.

After the parents, the eldest dips his hand into the common bowl.
He takes a larger portion of meat or fish, especially if he is old
     enough to work the fields.

The firstborn carries other gifts and names.
She is called Elder Sister, Exemplar, Little Mother.
She carries her family’s hopes and takes care that the rice pot does
     not overflow.

The firstborn is also the Elder Brother. He will have to provide
for his unmarried sisters, give them a life for which to give
thanks forever, even if it is spinsterhood.

He will be schooled in the knowledge of his tribe, including war.
She will learn the ways of plants and medicines and the arrangement
     of limbs.

He can wear the robes of justice as well as the threads of inconstancy.
They will want her to wear white and to bring offspring into the world.
She will tend her mother in labor and learn the alphabet of blood.

© Luisa Igloria