In Manila Poem by RIC BASTASA

i told her
there are only two kinds of people
in manila: the swindler and the swindled

i warned her

last night she cried
she occupied the seat of the latter

i told her
there is nothing to worry

the swindled can still recover
after a fall

she learned the hard way
that night she could not sleep

i told her
it is normal for one to be swindled

of which i chided her
if she wants to take revenge

swindle another one
it makes thing even.