I know the season has changed
because of the lights along
Granada Street.
Every year, Christmas
parols light up
the road
on either side.
And even when
I feel overwhelmed,
tired, and resigned,
something inside me
turns on
with the lights.
It might be years of
conditioning.
Or it might be
hope.
Whenever we turn
the corner,
I know that
something lifts
from my shoulders.
Parol - Traditional Philippine Christmas lanterns
Image sourced from beta.irri.org
