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?