Musings under the stars: Guam poet releases poetry collection

By Johanna Salinas

 Philip V. Cruz Jr.’s “Milky Skies and Other Poems” is a collection of poetic reflections spanning more than two decades, which explores themes of identity, nature and the universe through vivid and lyrical verse.

“These poems are all mostly based on my life,” Cruz said. “One of the things I liked doing as a kid was lying on the back of my dad’s truck and looking up at the constellations and falling stars and comets. Seeing a comet is such a breathtaking event. It’s about looking up at the sky at the right time.”

The titular poem “Milky Skies” is reminiscent of Cruz’s childhood beneath the Talofofo skies. The optimistic piece reveals his wandering spirit and is the perfect opener for his book.

Phillip Cruz

Other poems focus on themes of belonging, colonial history and cultural survival.

As an independently published poet, Cruz also has to work as both editor and marketer for his work. “It took me a year to put this book together with editing and reediting and trying to make it family-friendly,” he said. “I’m a school teacher and I got a reputation to protect. My conscience tells me not to cuss—not to be like that.”

Cruz teaches at Guahan Academy Charter School. He is also an adjunct instructor at the University of Guam, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies.

Phillip V. Cruz Jr.’s “Milky Skies and Other Poems” is available on Amazon. All proceeds go toward the author’s heart surgery.

Cruz treasures libraries as a place to harbor his creativity. “It’s about having and finding a place to write,” he said. “I don’t even know if the library in Merizo is ever open or even still exists. It’s so sad because the first books I've ever fallen in love with, ‘Choose Your Own Adventures,’ were from libraries.”

Cruz finds inspiration from the ones closest to him. His most personal poem, “The Cold Lonely House,” is a reflection on his family home after the passing of both of his parents. “In poetry, winter symbolizes death. It doesn’t snow on Guam, but death can be our winter,” Cruz said, explaining the winter imagery in a piece about his Talofofo home. “The house is no longer the same without my mom and dad.”

Cruz is working on his first novel and hoping to share it soon. “I have a fantasy book that I have 12 chapters already,” he said. “It’s mostly urban fantasy, taking place in modern times. I’m cleaning it up more and I hope to get it done in a year.”

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