Wake
by Patria Rivera

When our neighbor,

the jeepney driver,

died, his family couldn’t cough up

enough money for a proper

wake. Instead, they lit candles

and stuck them on four

empty milk cans to light the corners

of the pallet where he lay.

On top of his closed eyes

they put a coin

each, to pay the boat guide

should his soul reach

the other side of the river.


© Patria Rivera