Mama.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

the principal of the
high school department sent a note
that you have to see her
as soon as possible

' dear madam,
the school uniform of your son
has creases, the underarm is torn,
and his pants need badly
a washing'

when you arrive there
you only have 30 minutes of your time
you still have unsold fried bananas
and the ice candies are melting
and some customers are already
impatient for their noddles
and freshly baked bread,

you were thinking of so many
concerns
for survival but you assured the
principal,

- -' ma'am, i am so sorry
i will do things as you instructed
but how is my boy doing in school? '

' he is doing well
but you should take care of him'

' madam, i have trained him to take
care of himself
and i have trust in his undertakings'

that was how things ran
the boy had no qualms
understanding that he is loved
though he is not well taken-care of
that mother is just busy
looking for the money
to send him to school.

that boy has become a lawyer
that mother died at 86
happy in her grave.