Is different in Southeast Asia and Sydney
Farmers plough the fields and drink black coffee long day ahead
There, the sun is up in a hurry
In Sydney, sunup varies by season instead
It could be up soon, or remain dark past the early hours
The village is lively and neighbours mingle
In the Harbour City, they worry about the mortgage and booking tours
Little time to socialise or sprinkle
In Sydney, we have frequent trains and buses they’re ripe
Growing up, I had a view of our city below
The night lights extinguished as downtown comes to life
You hear the rooster crowing and chickens buzzing it’s mellow
The portrait of lizards scurrying in the ceiling
Sounds of native brooms
Dogs lapping their servings
The bright light as you grapple with homework in your bedroom
The coldish morning air you memorise your piece
The dawn is but a metaphor, an imagery
When we start school or college
Every time we embark on a new journey
Take a fork in the road or face a challenge
We live in our own Camino
Get all the help along the way
When we purchase a fresh pair of shoes or midrange Seiko
Sleep at night and dream of a payday
The inchoate dawn that greeted Fernando Amorsolo, Ramon Magsaysay, and Carlos Romulo
The self-same sunup that captivated Manny Pacquiao, Clark M. Recto, and Lino Brocka
So mesmerising that morning fog heroes laid down their lives for her, our dear Cordero
Whether sporting greats or statesmen, actors or artistes, love for her is no enigma
Tomorrow, the sun will rise again
Just like how the leaves will sway and lemons, harvested
The eggs collected and stanzas written
The laundry load will become dry
Apps updated
Dishes won’t get stacked high
Children won’t be constipated
Emails will be read just fine
Masses would be heard
We do not live in Rizal’s time
Handwriting has been largely reserved
Not as much love letters and poems, even for those past their prime
Regardless of these peculiarities, ‘The show must go on’
We won’t get rich by fixating on the past
Neither will we make progress by ruing the present and being a don
We advance in maximising our cards and by moving fast
For life is just a phase ‘A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more…’
