Life Is Fair, I Tell You.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

it is 3: 42 pm in
Vienna now

for that short
chat
all you did
most was to
send pics of
your three
grandchildren

your husband
plays horse to
the youngest the
one with
short blonde hair
typical Austrian

there is a
bowl of strawberries
and a cup of
ice cream in
one table

the only shot
without
people and it
amazes me
why?

we are still
here in Manila
a hot city
with all its
sins

we are not
moving anywhere yet
though
we really planned
to stay for good
in Mindanao
the promised land

you need not ask
but we are also happy
in our terms

our realities
are different
and the difference
is not bridgeable
by any means

we are happy in
our way
just like what you
are showing us

we don't have
any kids or grand kids
for sure
but we are not asking
what we do not have
content with
what is sincerely
given by God

all is fair
in life: you may have
kids, grand-kids, a family
a house, everything
European
that fresh spring
of your life

oh, we are happy
for you
and in fact proud
with what you are
proud of

for one thing:
we have the money
and lots of it.

we can go to moscow
eat caviar
drink vodka
take the train
to st peters-burg
and in another hour
be with you in Vienna
or if we change our
mind
on the next hour
we fly back to the
Philippines

life is fair
you have not gone to Prussia
or even smell the scent
of old Mongolia.

if you have
what you have
you do not also
have what
we have

on the last note
we are staying put.