ANLILI ABIJERO

ANLILI ABIJERO

OLD TRUNK

Under my bed lies an old trunk

Conspicuously stashed away

Heavily guarded,

Hidden and well-protected,

Out of reach and depth

Of prying eyes. . .

Of wagging tongues

And indiscreet mouths

Outside the knowledge

And consciousness of others

As this old trunk

Is all that I possess.

Inside the trunk

Are my “ treasures”

More valuable than any

Other riches even of

Kings and emperors.

In here are secrets that I keep

The memories of my first kiss

Snatched and stolen

Sometime bitter, sometimes sweet.

In here is my handkerchief

Stained by blood and tears when

I had my first bite of the proverbial

Adam’s apple, realizing afterwards

That it wasn’t the apple that held

The appeal but the promise of love.

Under my bed is my old trunk

My comfort zone. . .my security blanket

Where I hide each time the bogey man

Makes his rounds for nocturnal visit.

Anlili Abijero aka Lilian Abijero

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

ANLILI ABIJERO