Off-season musings of an errant columnist
The street where I live is silent.
Ever since my neighbor
Unplugged his karaoke machine
No music or laughter
Rings through the night anymore.
What is there to celebrate?
There are no more birthdays to toast Halloween is in the past tense Christmas is waiting in the future
New Year recently passed by
Chinese New Year just exited
And Valentine’s Day has gone out of the door. No doors were slammed, thank Jove
No wine glasses broken in anger
No egg tarts hurled in the direction
Of a wrong-doing mate
Or maybe in one corner
Of Cebu City, some drama
Unrolled, claws drawn, fangs flashed
A proper skirmish of passions Meeting head on, the victor
Showing off his or her wounds
In peacock-like pride
While the loser crouches
In a dark corner in a pool
Of tears and shame
What is there to celebrate
Now that the fun months are over?
My boy, life, celebrate life
Celebrate till the Bright Morning Star shines Quaff life’s exciting energy
Saute its seasons and silences
Toss its joys and pains
In a blue bowl of understanding
Then drizzle it with a thick sauce
Of patience and hope
This life of yours in whatever Condition it may be now
Is still worth celebrating.