Rishi Jan T. Gonzaga

 "Agua De Viuda" by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz; A literary analysis

    Agua De Viuda, a poem written by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, is a work of art filled with meaningful and powerful words that portray the perspective of a widow who is seeking warmth and affection. The poem written is a self-reflective approach to the meaning of the word "widow" that was interpreted into an oil painting by Rebie P. Ramoso (Pelayo, 2016). The artwork was a part of the Visual Aspect for Kumbira (2016), a chain of Literary Readings conducted by the Davao Writers Guild in collaboration with the NCCA in April 2016 to commemorate National Literature Month. We must also consider that the author, Jhoanna Cruz, is a significant contributor to Philippine literature, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines (creative writing), and has competed in various literary festivals internationally.

    In literary works, especially in poems, the utilization of figures of speech is crucial. Figures of speech are defined as any deliberate deviation from a literal statement or regular usage that accentuates, clarifies, or exaggerates written or spoken words (Zelazko, 2021). It is employed to indicate the writer's aim and add richness to the composition. In the first stanza of the poem, the author wrote a simile. A simile is a literary device and imagery in which the words "like" or "as" are utilized to compare two distinct objects. By using the word "like" in writing the line "For teasing me I smell good, fragrant like of viuda" the author is comparing the smell of a viuda to that of a character in the poem. Also, personification was used to tell that her scent was like the scent of almonds lingering after an unkept promise. Personification was also used in the line "Maybe it's the aroma of Jasmine after a night spent stewing over a mistake." In this case, a Jasmine scent is associated with sleepless nights pondering over a mishap. Another visible figure of speech used is a paradox provided the old meaning of "viuda" - is solitary or separation. Yet, she also mentioned that there's no grief or bereft.

    The poem revolves around the meaning of viuda or "widow". A widow is a woman who has witnesed the death of her spouse; or a lady whose spouse repeatedly (for long periods) leaves her alone or neglects her to engage in a typically prescribed activity (Merriam-Webster, n. d). These definitions are modern and adapted from various translations. However, the poem stated the original meaning of widow, which is solitary or separation but not bereft nor bereavement. A widow is also somehow attempting to be acquitted of their stupidity while grasping the promise of another chance.

    In the first stanza, the character in the poem was being teased that they smelled like a widow, which led her into thinking of the only widow she knew - her grandmother. Her grandmother spent most of her time with her neighbors and died two years later due to heart failure. Some say it is sweet, but why is that? Death is tragic for her loved ones, but some still insist it was a magical coincidence. Her grandmother died two years later, on her grandfather's birth anniversary. This thought was sweet because dead souls will supposedly reunite in the afterlife, and it gives an idea of a rebirth of love.

    Throughout the whole poem, the character dwelt on the characteristics of a widow. They also said that they were a widow themselves since they are attempting to be acquitted of their stupidity while grasping the promise of another chance. However, those were only comparisons of several attributes of a widow that seem to fit into the context. In my perspective, let us stick to the definition of viuda, which is solitary or separation, in determining whether or not the character is a viuda. In the poem, she stated that she has not buried her husband or has plans to do so, so she cannot classify herself as a real viuda.

    The poem by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, Agua de Viuda, can be understood immediately due to the use of understandable words and figures of speech in phrases that added a deeper meaning to the interpretation of thoughts and feelings that should be portrayed in the text. The word widow was portrayed as a traguc ending like nights spent dwelling on mistakes and attempting to grasp their foolishness. Some may say the death of the grandmother is sweet. But in my viewpoint, I do not entirely agree, but a part of it made me realize why other condemn it as a lovely coincidence. Overall, the literary work was a great addition to commemorate National Literature Month in April 2016.