55-WORD NARRATIVE WORK (FEBRUARY 2023)

We had woken at the crack of dawn and left my baby to travel to the site. It was before sunrise when we arrived, yet the line was almost at cut off…

It was close to midnight. I got a call from the helper, crying on the other side, that you are not well. I felt that it was something serious, something dreadful…

It’s Saturday morning in front of a monitor.

It’s 24 months, forward in 2023.

I hear a rooster crow…

Hindi lang iisa, sobrang daming ala-ala.

Mga kasama na inagawan ng buhay.

Pagsuot ng mask, ang hirap huminga…

An outing to the beach to get a breath of fresh air

Started a nightmare.

I had it, my husband and niece had it…

Had two patients with esophageal cancer last week. One was a news reporter, only in her 30s, and cancer has spread to her liver and bones…

She closed her eyes as the dog barked in a far-off distance. She told herself I would rather remember the sun’s heat pricking my skin in the midday rush to the población…

Hold me with your eyes at a distance. It’s okay, cry more behind your mask. Touch me with gloved hand if you can. But let go as i fade slowly…

Napakailap na buhay pag-ibig

Aking inaasam asam

Balot na nung bago mag pandemic

Ngayon ay mas higit pa….

By Dr. Carina Chavente

Everyone’s indoors, except me.

Highways clear

Business districts still

Traffic lights out

Not one in sight…