OFW

In the blazing heat
 of a Middle eastern sun
 he toils for hours
 away from his family -
 young daughters and wife
 loved from a distance.

Birthdays came and birthdays went
 ten years had gone by
 hugs and kisses were given
 through their Facebook posts
 accompanied by pictures
 with happy faces
 concealing their longing hearts.

Each bear the sadness
 for dreams of a better life -
 good education
 for the girls, now young women
 little luxuries
 providing simple pleasures
 and good memories
 as he can give from afar.

He waits and he works
 his hopes in the desert sands
 to be home at last
 assuaging homesickness
 with virtual presence
 each moment it's possible
 'til no screen is between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to Gayle’s Dverse prompt – The Choka – I am glad to finally break a blogless spell.  Lack of time (to think, writer, and visit blogs) and inspiration kept me away for weeks.  I do not know how often I can post with school resuming and a needy baby  starting to walk, but I hope to keep this page and friendships alive somehow.  Ah, my belated wishes for a happy and wonderful new year to all of you.

The inspiration for this piece is a cousin who now works in Israel and has not visited his family for a long time.  The title, OFW, means Overseas Filipino Worker which the Philippines, due to her economic situation, has plenty of.

 

Meanwhile, the Choka, according to Gayle, is a Japanese form poetry that tells a story.  It has an indefinite number of lines but the lines alternate between 5 and 7 syllables.  The poem ends with an extra seven syllable line.  For more of Choka, please visit the link above.

 

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