Commercialism Does Not Diminish Our Sorrow... Poem by RIC BASTASA

in cebu at the new
robinson's galeria
my niece asks me to pose
in front of that big
tarpaulin showing a number
of faces in their big smiles,

something new really but
i oblige for a pause
thinking that i do not have
to be a kill-joy in this family
occasion

she shoots my laughter trying
to compare it the artistry of
commercialism

i take a look after: mine is half-cooked
and theirs
as usual in the most professional manner
is well done.

what i think is that
and this i conclude: grief is always
personal and no amount of
commercialism
diminishes it. So far.