Stethoscope

Three days before Christmas, father brought my brothers and I along with him to the department store. He needed to buy something for their party. I went along with my brothers to the toy section. We were awed to see the plenty displays. there were many things on the shelves.

Gauzed Wounds

 

The second brother came home,

as the other siblings did,

without a wife

rather with a beloved

sister

in his mind-

her sweet smile

and the gentleness of her gestures

incomparable from the other women he met.

This affection

if only he was warned

to put love aside

from brotherly care

would’ve saved them

from such a predictable strife.

For in the guise of foreseen obligation

when he knew of her intention

of not wanting to marry

sprung the idea

to be the one to love her instead.

Impairment

The black wooden casket drew attention inside the white painted walls. The curtains were drawn apart and the wide open door seemed welcoming. The lit candles beside the coffin danced along with the sweeping breeze as if inviting him to see his long lost mother.

Stopped Delight

It was Sunday not a day but rather a gap between two other days. The traffic was light, only a few cars were out on the streets. Trickles of sweat rolled down his cheeks and his hands were tense on the stirring wheel. A blue car manuevered past him.

Table Setting

 

To eat on my own at four

I sat down for breakfast with my parents.

Before we prayed, I looked around

and saw the other empty chairs.

Father placed the fork on my left hand

He said that was where it should be

On his face was drawn the sweetest

smile for his only child.

Cogon

Rustle of cogon

grass growing thick on the field,

endlessly dancing,

along with the sweeping breeze,

show survival despite strife.