A Jeepney Tale: Sukli

The moment I was seated comfortably, I dug my right pocket to pay the jeepney fare. Sensing that I had no barya, I just opted to use the 20-peso bill.


“Bayad ho.”

Math

The sound of your name
Makes me think of something lame
The way it rings in my ears
It can almost put me to tears 

Crushed 1: That Time We Had A Homework In Reading

Elementary, second grade: that time, I just needed someone to make goo-goo eyes on. It was the earliest manifestation of peer pressure: to have a crush like everyone else. It got to a point where I can’t squeeze myself into their conversations anymore because I had no one to fawn about. I wished we could have just gotten back to playing Chinese garter and collecting stickers.

An Absolute Blend

Take a spoon, set it drowning
In this deep powder of black
Take a bit more than enough
And wonder if it is bad

Summer Report

I’m at the beach, standing, staring at sea. It’s strange. I really wanted to go swimming a few days ago but now that the dream’s right in front of me, I do nothing but feel the sand and water between my toes. I look around me. People are laughing, running, and frolicking everywhere. I was wrong to think happiness is contagious. My immunity leaves me standing, staring at the sea. It’s hot. I look up to the sky and dare myself to eyeball the sun. Of course, I lose. I hold my hand up in front of me and squint through my fingers.