For

Published in Bitter Melon Poetry “Stay Home Diary” zine, March 31, 2020.

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My world is a closet I will reject for pyjamas
A bathroom with four rolls of toilet paper left
A kitchen with forgotten shrimp paste in the fridge door
And a sewing machine I had the foresight to buy because my Lola said “Ay
        anak, you will hurt yourself trying.”
 
My dad watches Youtube videos of formulas for food forests
In the Philippines - he was formerly planning to snowbird in his tropical homeland
Before the quarantine forced a postponement of plans
He’s formed a couch routine of circling between grim news, farming DIY vids
        and talking on the phone in rapid Visayan- “Is it like martial law? Back then?”
 
I am fortunate that I can safely work from home as an “essential”
First and foremost, said Maslow, is food, shelter, safety
But if not everyone has safety, can I afford peace of mind?
Can you foreshadow how far you’ll claw and climb up the hierarchy of needs
        for higher pursuits?
 
My mom said to cancel my California visit before the lockdown and the border closure
My sister stays informed so she might return from Montreal if it comes to that
I conform to physical distancing and gain respite and dread from technology
We wait a continent apart, within North America,
        For the collective curve to flatten.

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Published in Bitter Melon Poetry “Stay Home Diary” zine, March 31, 2020. All rights reserved. The contributed written content or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the owner.