Medieval

“Ciudadano Liner” an ngaran kan bus

nakasurat sa Old English sa enotan

na windshield. Kamo man mga pasahero

hipos na nakarulunad as the bus now

negotiates a slippery road going to Tapaz.

It’s cold and overcast kasi may low pressure

daa sa Panay Island tapos dinugangan pa 

kan cold front. Ika man pasiring pa sana 

sa office nindo sa kabilang ibayo,

some three towns from where you stay.

Local government unit na, far-flung pa.

The driver maneuvers the bus and drives

like there’s no tomorrow. Almost a year

into your new assignment, you have already

noticed how the bus driver in this sordid part

of the world literally drives you crazy. 

Your six-wheeled carriage is running

as if a horde of bandits is chasing you

or kamo mismo an mga bandido carting away

your loot from a palace in a neighboring town.

Ano na naman daw an gigibohon

saimo kan mga dragon sa opisina nindo? 

Magpaparabuga na naman nin kalayo an boss mo. 

The self-declared king in your dungeon workplace 

will again cite your habitual tardiness, 

declaring to his vassals and serfs

your “barbaric” work ethic.

Bako lang ‘yan. Wawasiwason ka man

nin mga tsismis wala too kan mga kaopisina mo. 

Nakikinagbuan ka man kayang iyan ki Beth, 

an head teacher sa barrio, dawa na ngani 

may agom ka na. O dawa na ngani may agom ka pa. 

Nagdudungan kamo pag-uli. Last trip

sa bus paghapon. What can you say? 

Bombshell in distress mo siya; dangan ika

man daa, an “night and shining armor” niya.

Well. Who cares? Excalibur mo, taisa na.