What You Will Miss Here Poem by RIC BASTASA

sinugbang tuloy in sicayab beach.
tuba laloy in the local market.
smooth ripe mangoes.

raw mangoes dipped in ginamos.
the spanish sardines of the montano's
the bibingka

puto cheese. dinuguan.
san mig beer and pulutan of pork pata.

smooth to the throat is the tanduay rhum
asia's best.

a stroll at the boulevard.
seeing the sun set there.

early morning walks at the plaza.
hearing the church bell ring.

a call to prayer.
the sound of the motorcabs on market day.

a hideaway in the farther hill.
early morning chill.

visiting the grave of your mother and father.
getting to know new nephews and nieces.

meeting old classmates and reminiscing
those high school days.

you were so thin and dark and naughty.
you're great now, with your white hair as crown.