Petite Poem by RIC BASTASA

I met this petite lady

she was still on her second year
of a nursing course
when her aunt retired as domestic helper
in bakau

she had to take over
the employer paid for her passport and documentation

she works there for two years
vacuuming carpets
washing dishes
dusting off walls and windows
taking care of a baby
and sometimes cooks for visitors

she is round
and will do everything just to earn
her money
and please her parents
back home

she is 25, too young to be a family bread
winner
and an export labor
a heroine for another
locally written novel

she has her boyfriend back in mandaue waiting
but he could not meet her at the airport

her parents do not want her to marry
the jobless
Pinoy

'home for good', she says when she bids us
goodbye

deep inside me
i wish her independence

i know that happiness
is too elusive

but anyway i wish her that
too