THE street where I live is silent.

Ever since my neighbor

Unplugged his karaoke machine

No music or laughter

Rings through the night anymore.

What is there to celebrate?

There are no more birthdays to toast

Halloween is in the past tense

Christmas is waiting in the future

New Year recently passed by

Chinese New Year just exited

And Valentine’s Day has gone out of the door.

No doors were slammed, thank Jove

No wine glasses broken in anger

No egg tarts hurled in the direction

Of a wrong-doing mate

Or maybe in one corner

Of Cebu City, some drama

Unrolled, claws drawn, fangs flashed

A proper skirmish of passions

Meeting head on, the victor

Showing off his or her wounds

In peacock-like pride

While the loser crouches

In a dark corner in a pool

Of tears and shame

What is there to celebrate

Now that the fun months are over?

My boy, life, celebrate life

Celebrate till the Bright Morning Star shines

Quaff life’s exciting energy

Saute its seasons and silences

Toss its joys and pains

In a blue bowl of understanding

Then drizzle it with a thick sauce

Of patience and hope

This life of yours in whatever

Condition it may be now

Is still worth celebrating.