Life and Afterlife:

remembering my grandma at the riverside

bard sipping coffee
under big talisay tree
beside the river

my father’s mother,
she always sided with me ~
I remember her

quarrel with playmate ~
she called him “tulisan”,
my Pare Bobong!

my old river haunt ~
grandmother always here
or not far away

lass of Sigma
married my father’s father ~
of Aguilar clan

the name Paz means “peace” ~
trouble if I roamed elsewhere,
calm with her nearby

riverside child play,
catching little crabs and fish ~
terror of cold rice

grandmother and I,
me dressed as Sto. Niño,
feasted in Tulay

I left my hometown;
I can’t recall when she died ~
but she’s remembered

my Lola Pacing ~
there are such precious persons;
hug them while you can

when I’m ascended,
I will inquire where she is
and pay a visit

distaste for earth life
is a needed condition
for final goodbye

a happy earth life
would be a dumb obstacle
to see grandmother

an ascending soul
cannot simply be allowed
too much happiness

distaste for this world;
yearning for celestial life ~
that’s preparation

an ascended soul
can go on new adventures ~
like seeing grandma

there are great Teachers
in their fabulous retreats ~
I’d love to visit

in all likelihood,
I can see grandma on earth ~
still unascended

reincarnation~
not the most convenient way
to see someone dear

the ascended state
is the best mode of paying
a courtesy call

© Jose Rizal M. Reyes
May 30, 2017

( The haiku and triku presented in this article, including the title, are given the code numbers jrmrB584–604 crafted May 30, 2017. Photos via Google including the horizontal line by Maria Paula Figueroa.)