Gaps, patches and in-betweens

Davao. A couple of years ago. He walked into the karaoke place where students in drunken stupors were waiting for their second wind. A man who has had his fun share of brandy was trying to belt out...something.  I have already done a couple of songs and downed more than a couple of beers when I noticed him. He was trying to be nondescript by the entryway, checking out the place trying to decide whether or not to stay.  He came in and sat down, bobbing his head to the beat of the ok,.. terrible singing. I nudged my friend and nodded to the new character. “I bet he will blow us away.” He thumbed the songbook and put in five pesos, which earned him two songs.  His voice washed off the beers, and my courage to take the microphone.  My friend and I looked at each other. She grabbed the songbook and started keying in one song after another, requesting him to sing. We bought him a beer. He refused the second bottle and pulled out from his back pocket, a Gr...

Like you. Like me. The girls are taller than us now. Time bears down on our skin, our faces, Pulling our breasts down Slowing our pace Warning us to Breathe. We rushed and even stumbled, Trying to beat their growing up before us, Before we can even learn about this career called motherhood Let alone master Life. They cause wrinkles on our brows. Their eyes sometimes soothe, sometimes worsen the worry. Their laughs massage our body aches. They take after you. They do not take after you. They care about the things that matter to you. Sit down. Get that drink. Watch and enjoy the fruits Of our old. Written for a friend in 2015. "I am an X in an indeterminate equation. And that X is the rock upon which I stand." - Mario Puzo