BRAVE

        On my way home I saw a kitten in the middle of the road, a road full of speeding cars and busy people. The kitten was trying to cross the lane but cars won’t let him. He was wet and trembling a sign that he struggle the heavy rain this day. I knew he is afraid but still he pursue to cross the lane. When he saw a car approaching he stop and bent his head. Probably, drivers do not notice this little fellow because they just speed up to catch the green light. When the car is gone the kitten he would rise his head slowly – slowly, and take a hurried walk.

I witnessed him make it into the middle of the road after surviving with the four cars. Unfortunately, I was not able to know if that little fellow manages to survive. The jeepney that I am riding was being called for illegal parking. That fellow must been very hungry. He must been aiming for the leftover foods at my side of the road.

Whenever I passed by the street I still remember that incident. I wonder if he survives. Knowing that he make it in to the middle without being hit if he continue being brave and determined. I know he would live. 

TABAROTI

   As an aspiring writer I am always curious. I always question the possibilities. I always ask the unusual. I always try to find the answer in books, internet (all reading materials), and if I happen to be curious when I am at my highest confidence I am unstoppable.

    I first saw the word imprinted in the jersey of my college classmate. At first, I thought it is a simple nickname he invented. Just like how most Filipinos form words. I was guessing it comes from taba (fat) and roti (an Indian bread). See how the words relate? The thing is my classmate is not fat so the name does not suit him.

   When I asked him about the meaning of the word I was with my friend Grace (I was lucky she was curious too). I told him about my theory. Turns out I was wrong. He explained that the word means peasant.

    Then I have a new question. What is the origin of the word? This new question does not stop me from creating a piece as a token of my appreciation. As for the answer the answer of my next question, who knows, I might find it here.

TABAROTI

Anong meron sa lansangan

na ginawa mong kanlungan?

Bakit aking kaibigan,

ikaw ay nasa mundong pilit kong iniiwasan?

Linisan ang konkretong tahanan

Tumuloy sa bangketang mailap ang hapunan

Malambot mong kama ipinagpalit

sa kartong kasukat ng paslit

Kahanay ka na ng mga sawing – palad

Marahil ay nalakbay mo na ang buong siyudad

Sa paningin ng mga taong ‘di alam

ang iyong tunay na pinagmulan

Nakikita ko ang saya sa salu – salo

Kasama ng mga estranghero

Ngunit hanggang kelan ka makikisali?

Ano ang hahantungan ng iyong pagiging tabaroti?

Nariyan ba ang  puwang na iyong gusto?

May hinihintay ba na llimos ang iyong puso?

A PRAYER

I know you might have memorize my prayers

Specially those dreams I never knew how to achieve

Dear God, I am sorry  I involve you in this

But as of the moment I see no other way but through you

I am a woman trying to find my purpose

All I can say is a prayer

Others may doubt my intentions

I admit if I am in their place I might too

Eternal rest grant unto the departed, Oh Lord!

Specially those who died during Typhoon Yolanda

May the rest in peace

Thank you for shaking us

It bring out the best in my family and within my hometown

You always have your back-up plan

I've realized it when people go back depending on a candle light

I am a woman trying to find my purpose

And I think I am picking up the pieces

THE ROOTS WAITING

We tend to forget our roots

Go different ways but as we go

We realize, we all started 

 on the same root

We may meet halfway or not

Found ourselves or not

Until this root grow

Not realizing we have gone too far

Yet, we still want more

We got this feeling

Or more likely to prove others

That we can do better than them

Coming back to our roots

 is like starting to grow

Unsure of everything

For sure composure will be different

We all long to be back

Or be reunited with

To balance this way

If not so we keep some calling unanswer

Outbox: Outside Her Purple Box

Soon she will be twenty three. But she still have the box that she purchased back  when she was fifteen. It is for her souvenirs, her secrets, her ideas and her enjoyment and pain. A purple box where she hides some of herself. Because she believes that some things are bound for keeps.

Yesterday was the end of the cold season so my girl decides to see her purple box. Turned out that it was loaded.

Little by little she realized that life must have been different if she did  not do some hiding.. Will she still be a  hopeless romantic if she go for her guy? Will she still be a  sweet angel if she let go of her hatred? Who will be her inspiration if she rushed in love?

Knowing  the answer to her own query.  My girl prepares for some upgrading  and disposing  of what is in her box. Later this year she will buy another purple box. She is at age to be aware on what is supposed to be a secret and shared.

Suurely, she will grab the most durable and bigger purple box at sale. But she will let it be (the things, moments, failures, etc.) as they are suppose to be. Go on living  with the flow of God's decision. Accept every stuff that will come, and do what it takes to protect her box because surprises come in a  jiffy.