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POETRY
Best
You are a good book, a fast-moving queue,
A mug of steaming cocoa on a rainy afternoon.
You are an echo.
A box of crayons in a youngster's hands,
An orchid on a prom queen's wrist.
You are the glittery star atop a Christmas tree,
The fiery tail of a comet that darts across the velvet sky,
The crisp broadsheet that arrives faithfully on my doorstep each morning.
You are a flash flood,
A double-edged sword.
You are the salt-and-pepper tresses of a former geisha,
The tangerine edges of a hot ember,
The crimson stains on a wounded soldier's uniform.
Exquisitely, eternally,
You are an ode to life.
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Voices
I glance at my Quiapo-bought Rolex and wipe the sweat from my brow
with an already-soiled towel. This is my last trip for the day,
and still the noise of the trade has not subsided.
Oh, for heaven's sake, Anak, stop jumping and sit down!
Hey, have you heard about Kris and Mark? They broke up again on national TV!
Ryan, if I pass this exam, I am going to treat you to lunch for the rest of the week.
What do you mean your job sucks? Are you kidding me?
Man, I'm telling you, Ginebra rules!
(At this I instantly look at my rear-view
mirror, catching myself just before I open my mouth to agree.)
Hello? Honey? I'm along Taft already but traffic is so heavy. What's for dinner?
Well, you better pass, Cris!
We arrive at a busy marketplace.
As I step on the brakes, tires squeal and feet shuffle,
and the many voices slowly vanish into the night.
For a second, there is only the steady hum of a weary engine,
and then comes the pitter-patter of a new set of footsteps.
I wipe my brow again as a bunch of people scurry into my humble vehicle.
Just as the last person manages to squeeze himself in between two bodies,
a woman exclaims a profanity in a loud, high-pitched voice,
and all at once, conversations begin.
And for the last time today,
my jeepney is again filled with voices.
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Preparation
Rows and rows of little black letters
Stamped on a white background
By the photoelectric effect
Basic differences of approach
Alternative traditions of analysis
What is the meaning of all this?
Enlightenment is due tomorrow
As ink meets paper in silence
Two or three will do, but the aim is one
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© 2008 Micah Vanessa Sulit
Last updated: March 20, 2008
