JARMMS - JMM + D

We have not seen Aiisa (left), the letter A of a beautiful and enduring friendship known as JARMMS, since more than 10 years ago when she stood as one of the bridesmaids in our wedding. So when Daffo (second from Aiisa) called to say that Aiisa was around, I organized an impromptu party for her in my place. Tarods (third from left) of the letter R who was also our bridesmaid and who now sports a PhD after her name and who is now a college dean came with her hubby Elmer (fourth from left). My wife (right) was extremely delighted to meet my college friends. We SMS-ed Mimi of the letter M1 and Joan of the letter J. No news so far from Me-an of the letter M2. I am the letter S and dinner stretched until midnight with no end in sight for the catching-up stories until Elmer said “Cut!” when Tarods’ was about to narrate an aborted affair with a Thai gentleman. It was a beautiful night…

ANG ALAMAT NG LIHAM NA NILUNOD SA INODORO

Ewan
kung napansin mong
kulay asul ang luhang kumatas
mula sa sulat na matapos mong lamukusin
ay nilunod sa inodoro ng ‘sang tabong tubig
at kumitil sa lagablab ng murang pag-ibig.

Marahil
may tilamsik na umalpas
gumapang, dumikit sa ‘yong balat
mantsang nangati at kailangang kamutin
dalawamput-isang taon matapos mong lukutin
at 6,772 milyahe mula kung saan ito inilibing.

Baka lang
sa limang oras na inumit
ang nalusaw na talata’y bumalik,
duduyan sa iyong karinyo at lambing
at sa maligamgam na tsaa at kape’y ipagbunyi
ang panghihinayang at kinimkim na pananabik.

Siguro
ang bakas na naiwan sa aking puso,
at anino mong kumipkip sa aking braso
ang aaruga sa dighay ng masakit na puson
at ang marahil ay una at huling pahimakas nito
sa ala-ala ng sulat na inilibing sa inodoro.