To Frank

My memory tells about your happy school days as seen in your smile I heard recently you bought a dress for your mom with your own money I saw you lately at the center of the crowd beside the right lane An old man asked "He is your student, isn't he?" I could not answer You went to Sog-ong last night in a barayle* it was fiesta** there Our eyes were not there to see the knife reach your lungs and mar your future Your friends could not serve as a thick metallic shield to face the sharp blade All that they could do was to carry your body home by the hammock Goodbye, my student whose life was taken swiftly like a lost bubble * Barayle is a local term for "night party" ** Fiesta is a tradition in the Philippines where people celebrate a feast in honor of a saint