Manila

Manila is my hometown (Actually, I was born in Quezon City but I love Manila so much). Manila is a place full of happy memories, especially memories with my father who passed away a few years ago.

Manila was fast asleep one night

Quiet, calm and serene

Her lights shined emerald bright

Such a beautiful scene!

 

The moon looked down at her

Serenading her with harana so lovely

The night sky embraced forever

Manila, her love so heavenly

 

My window was open

And the breeze kissed my face

Manila sang her song again

A wish of amazing grace

 

Hours passed and I was still awake

Light began to creep from the east

Like a slithering snake

Like an enraged beast

 

I looked outside from my bedroom

I saw a man selling sorbetes

Some children playing with a broom

And a girl showing off her dress

 

I went down to the kitchen

Yaya was cooking something

She took one kilo of chicken

And cut it, breast to wing

 

She boiled them in water

Sprinkled the water with spice

I took some butter

A piece of bread and some rice

 

Yaya was finished cooking

I prayed for short moment   

And started eating

The soup with the beautiful scent

Author's Note

"Harana" is a rural custom where a man attempts to court a woman through songs, specifically "kundiman" songs or traditional Tagalog love songs. "Sorbetes" is a Filipino-style ice cream served either in a cone or sandwiched inside a bun. "Yaya" is someone hired to take care of the household including matters like cooking, laundry and babysitting.

Reviews

[Yani De Los Reyes]

Nice poem. It really means a lot of things. :D