still

NAIA

1
A kind-looking, chubby, young father was toting two big pieces of luggage and a two year old girl.
They sat beside me to wait for boarding.
She was fidgety at first and didn’t want to walk into the rows of seat.
So to goad her on he said,
“Sige na baby, bibisitahin natin si mommy. Nandun sya.."
Then under his breath "..sa malayo.”


2
In the check-in line in front of me, an old, stooped man
with big, sad eyes, turned to me and asked
“Pwede pa bang lumabas pagkatapos nating iwanan
yung bagahe natin?” I didn’t know
so I asked an airport attendant for him.

He was talking to anyone he could because
he was nervous and excited and sad.
It was his first time to fly.
He was excited to get to Bangkok.
Someone had hired him to be a driver.
He wanted to go out and have a last look at everything he had left behind.


3
Here I go again.



(for Dad, from whom i inherited restless feet. March 8, 2006)