NaPM April 3, 2018

[RiverNotch]

the end of history


annie works for the government
per her tita's recommendation.
money's big on paper,
none of which they'll dish out
(the managers, not the clients).
the clients give more than needed,
and it makes annie uncomfortable --
'well honey', says her tita,
'you shouldnta taken that art degree.'
'you need the experience', says mama.
'i won't for your anime' -- papa.

she tells me she'll go to korea.
i tell her she'll make it big.
'there's eight of us friends met this evening
and you're the one with a job.'
she laughs as we turn the corner.
'but you were the one with a future!
you played with all the big words...'

'and they're bigger than how they sounded --
in fact, i'm still sounding them now.
in fact, i'm all out of breath.'

annie works for the government
on her tita's recommendation.
salary's big on paper,
none of which they'll cash out:
the managers, not the clients.
the clients give more than needed,
and it makes annie uncomfortable --
'well honey', says her tita,
'you shouldnta taken that art degree.'
'you need the experience', says mama.
'you'll pay for your anime' -- papa.

she tells me she'll go to korea.
i tell her she'll make it big.
'there's eight of us friends met this evening
and you're the one with a job.'
she laughs as we turn the corner.
'but you were the one with a future!
you played with all the big words...'

'and they're bigger than how they sounded --
in fact, i'm still sounding them now.
in fact, i don't have any time.'