Poem 157 - Salamat, Kaibigan

Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon
Ako'y nadapa at nahirapang makabangon
Sadyang napakasaklap nang sinapit ko
Daig ko pa ang sinakluban ng mundo.

Pakiramdam ko ay katapusan ko na
Nakalugmok na ako at nahirapang huminga
Anong delubyo ang pangyayaring ito
At sobrang malas naman ang inabot ko.

Salamat, kaibigan, sa pagdamay mo
Salamat at inabot mo ang kamay ko
Muntikan na akong mawalan ng pag-asa
Pati itong buhay ay bibigay na sana.

Mahirap pala kapag dapang-dapa ka na
Ang mga kakilala ay naglalahong bigla
Sa hirap kung saan mo sila mas kailangan
Iilan lang ang iyong pwedeng makakapitan.

Isa itong masakit na katotohanan
Kapag kasawian na ang pinag-uusapan
Silang mga taong itinuring nating kaibigan
Lumalapit lang sila kapay may kailangan.

Salamat, kaibigan, sa ipinakita mong kabaitan
Langit ang hatid mo sa gitna nitong kapighatian
Salamat at ako'y hindi mo pinabayaan
Habangbuhay kitang laging papasalamatan.

Quote 314 - At Peace

Moment 157 - Smoking

When I was younger but working already, I did try to smoke.  

I had a co-worker and a close friend during that time who smoke from time to time.  He is not a chain smoker because he used to finish a couple of sticks only for a day.  I guess it was already part of his routine, especially after having lunch, to light up a stick of cigarette.

When I was still a kid, my older brother who was a smoker also used to warn me about smoking.  Though he could not stop smoking that time (eventually he stopped after so many years), he would sternly warn me about taking a cigarette.  He would tell me to better drink liquors rather than taking a cigarette. Most likely, he already knew that smoking is not a good habit after all.

Going back to my co-worker and friend, he did not enticed me to smoke.  What made me tried to taste a cigarette was the plain idea about the way he would hold the cigarette between his fingers.  Even if he was not lighting that one, he was really good at it and it seemed cool to me.  It was like a kind of "statement" and he was sending that kind of message to me.  

Out of the blue, I tried one.  But after a couple of puff, I threw it away.  I could not withstand the smoke, the awful smell of my fingers, and the coughing because it made my throat dry.  I guess, smoking is not really my thing.

Quote 313 - Thank You

Food Trip 156 - Tutong

We were preparing suman for the observance of All Saints day.  It has been part of our tradition to prepare something no matter how modest it is in order to give thanks and remember our departed ones.

Most of the time, we are cooking our food with the use of charcoal or wood.  With charcoal or wood, the cooked food has this certain taste compared with using gas.  

Since the heat of charcoal could not be totally controlled unlike with a gas stove, there is always a tendency that the bottom of the cooking pot will contain overcooked rice that turns from brown to black.  We call that one in our lingo as 'tutong.'  What we found out with 'tutong' of the sticky rice was it is more pleasant to eat compared with that of the ordinary rice.  Since it does not stick at the bottom of the pot, it does not turn hard.  When it becomes cold, it makes the 'tutong' of sticky rice more enjoyable to eat.

Poem 156 - Eve of New Year

It is the eve of new year
I've been waiting for you here
For the longest time ever
Waiting feels like forever.

Where in the world are you
There's no trace even your shadow
Suddenly you disappear
And not wanting to be near.

What makes your change of heart
For my world is breaking apart
I've been longing for your embrace
It's warmth and love I surely miss.

I am not a mind reader
And surely not a heart breaker
I'm sure we can talk things over
And hold on to our forever.

Here I am, patiently waiting
Staring at the sky, praying
Be safe wherever you are
Come home and my love will heal your scar.

Quote 312 - Falling