Pudlos

PUDLOS*

You are a rattan stick.
You show an image of 
discipline
with my father's strong 
hand
gripping tightly on one 
of your ends.

Father shouts in anger as 
you hit me.
(I have made a mistake!)
I cry helplessly and with 
regret.

Your bending on me 
inflicts a pain,
sometimes a scar that 
will remind me
that evil deeds cost 
punishment.
Your bending on my 
childish body --
Thanks!--
straightened my older 
one.
You are truly a tool of 
discipline
ONLY IF the one that 
holds you
is disciplined, 
responsible, and loving.

*Masbateño term for a 
stick used to hurt an 
erring child or pet
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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