LatinosUSA

«Love is Found in Unexpected Places» by Maritess B. Javelona, LPT, MAEd

Unsteady steps and bent back, she started crossing, 
Hand raised, I caught up with her, my hand signalling,
Cars and jeepneys slowed down as if they were obeying,
I held her hand but she grabbed my arm, as if gripping.
She clung to me looking up with her gentle whispering, 
“God bless you, my child, thank you for caring!”

Passing by a park, I heard a persistent controlled sobbing,
T’was from a boy with a bruised knee his hand was holding,
He covered it with his hanky upon seeing me approaching,
I said that the infected wound required wet tissue wiping,
He held unto me and offered his bruised knee, as if submitting,
“I trust you because you are smiling, and oh, thanks for helping!” 

Hurrying to reach home, my five senses began opening, 
From the wet grass in an open lot, I heard a soft barking,
Lo, three wet white puppies with their bodies trembling,
I carried them home because I knew they needed cuddling.
On the mat they lay with their small eyes, as if speaking,
“Thank you for we feel loved with your warm sheltering. 

This is love, in different forms, boldly conveying,
To be authentic, love has to be self-giving,
It is only when the heart is genuinely listening, 
That our hands will be, unconditionally, helping

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The Poet:

Maritess B. Javelona is a teacher in English, tertiary level of Colegio San AgustinBacolod. She is 57 years old, married to Andrew T, Javelona. She is mother to two girls, Andrea B. Javelona, BSMT 3 and Maraiah B. Javelona, BS in Pharmacy 1, both at Colegio San Agustin, Bacolod City. She loves nature, life and most of all, God who has been the Source of everything on earth, big or small, seen or unseen.