Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Pagbalik Mo Old Na Si Manong By

The Rising Phoenix Review

February 20

Pagbalik Mo Old Na Si Manong

When You Return to Manila, Your Driver Will Already Be Old

He looked as if he aged
thirty years with each night
you asked him to wait
out the strip while you floated
within the throes of artificial light,
his wife arlene, (who you'd met
only once during a volunteer trip
down to antipolo), watches
her trademark spaghetti
beginning to dry under
the flickering kerosene lamp,
just like your lipstick oxidizing
on your five-minute lover's
lips, one you will never meet again
as manong's children lay
silent searching for a gentle kiss good-night
from their father who is
only an odd weekend's sight
while you hurtle back enthroned
in your grandfather's prussian benz,
leaking alcohol on your bathroom floor
as manong heads to bed,
encased by a ratty pink
mosquito-net & the 4x4 photo
of his family nestled into
the pocket of his tattered jeans.

Biography:

Julia Ongking currently lives in her beautiful home country: the Philippines. Born and raised as a Chinese-Filipino, she enjoys developing her perspectives through reading, writing, and having meaningful conversations with people from all walks of life. Her work has appeared in SAND Literature, Third Wednesday, and Rappler Magazine, amongst other digital and print publications. Her work has also been recognized by the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards.