HOMESICK

For my cousin Ms. Grace Quetulio Donadillo

I breathe of London air
While riding on the tube
I clutch on my handbag
on my way to school

Amidst the British crowd
I stand anxious
My English resonates
Differently from them.

A sense of anticipation
My future lies ahead
From here I am
I see through a haze.

So soon I long for fishballs
I miss abodo and bagoong too
And the traffic in EDSA
I’m so used to hate

Mama’s voice
I hear from my celphone
I bear the pain of longing
To seek my fate.