Balikbayan

BALIKBAYAN

Six months away to travel
Home to a nostalgic place
Where, once more, I'd be able to capture
The free things:
Mountains, pristine rivers, rice fields, fresh air, etc

My relatives packing all sorts
Used clothing, spam, corned beef, Vienna sausage
Coffee, coffee mates, chocolates, candies
As if those items were not availabe
In any stores except United States.

My childhood I mirror
Daydreaming in the middle of the ricefield
Pulling strings of scarecrows
Washing clothes in the running river
Drying them under the sun.

My childhood brings me back
Climbing guava tree in the backyard
Riding a carabao was a delight
Watching a river gorge
Was a wonder and awe!

I have gone too far.
Now, I am a Balikbayan!
With big boxes in a row
Fascinating pasalubong to everyone
In return
Happy smiles I've got!

Meanings:

Balikbayan -----Overseas Filipino Workers
Pasalubong----a present or a gift
Carabao--------water buffalo
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Mehta Avatar
June 2, 2011 at 2:46 PM
What a nice piece of poetry, and thanks for the notes to understand the spirit behind the poem, Dalila
K. Avatar
June 2, 2011 at 3:50 AM
Hi Dalila :0 Your title drew me in and I just had to smile-- ah the infamous balikbayan boxes packed full with everything in it ;) Really enjoyed your poem here and welcome home, kababayan :) enjoy your stay here :) warm smiles to you ^_^
Nutter Avatar
June 2, 2011 at 2:50 AM
Excellent write, thank you for the definitions or translation. http://anthonynutter.weebly.com/
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