A Feast In The Flood

By Justine C. Tajonera

Your party halls were festooned
with pink balloons,
the tables were filled
with lechon, pasta,
salmon and cake
but the chairs remained
empty.
The rains made
the streets into
rivers that
ran throughout
the city.
None of this matters
as much as
how thankful I am
that you are safe
in your mother's
arms.
There will be no
birthday candles
to blow or
treats to give
away
but your feast
is not in the
empty banquet hall,
it is in the love
of your mother
and father and
the homemade meal
they fixed
for you.

For Gabi

(Sept. 26, 2009)

Lechon - roasted suckling pig