being poor
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I can’t outrun the machine no matter how early I get up or how many lunches I pack
“Make a list of your expenses; sort them into either needs or wants and in times of financial trouble, cut back on the wants” is an advice for a simpler time. I’m working class in the heart of empire in 2025. My list of expenses fall into either “things I’ll die if I go without… Continue reading
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The Irreversible
And when you finally, truly learn, beyond its wording, beyond your associating it with the voice of your elders, the cold, solid-hard truth that you can’t have it all, I hope you’re on the right side of the wall. Continue reading
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Ikot Jeep Sonata
There are some truths that don’t take breaks, sitting awake vigilant by the bedside of romance, keeping its fever in check, monitoring its temperature. Their eyes tell me you’re out of my league. That’s a blinding flash of the obvious, so obvious it absolutely makes no sense: the distance of class stretching between your world… Continue reading
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Dear O. Henry,
Somebody had plans about the skylight when they built it. Somebody had romance in mind, and ambition glowed in their hearts, and that pane of glass was a symbol, a poem, containing verses of the space you can own beyond yourself, never mind that you’re confined by four walls and the only monthly rent your… Continue reading
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Virgin Feet
I bumped into Passion on the Street today outside the lingerie shop. She walked with me to the end of the block where I entered the store and tried on a pair of Fuck Me shoes, but they didn’t have my size. So I took a cab in my flip-flops to chase her to the… Continue reading
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Text-Back to a Millionaire’s Daughter
Pardon me. I’m tired, I’m stressed, and I merit every excuse for being emotional. I’m feeling too parochial to explore the avenues of actual envy, but though we are good friends and I love you to death, don’t ask me what’s wrong because you can’t possibly imagine or understand if I start lamenting on how… Continue reading
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Little Miss Sunshine
I sent, “Good morninggg! (Message should be pronounced as spelled.)” Steph sent, “Thank you Iris! I totally needed that right now.” And I sent, “I walked from Farmers to Katipunan last night! I think that’s how I got my good timing back!” Steph sent, “You are precious, and one of a kind.” * * *… Continue reading
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Paranoia
Can you see right through me? Can you tell that I have no money? Because I’m all dressed up, …..acting like I’m all that …..even though I’m not. Is there a clue in my lowered eyes …..that gives away my disguise? Screaming I’m not one of them, I’m just passing through I’m not buying anything… Continue reading
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It’s Easy to Be Happy
It’s so easy to be happy: just choose to be happy. For every stranger in the street that looks you up and down cold-like, give him or her a good-natured, zero-malice smile. For every moment you feel insecure because you’re too fat or your skin is never smooth enough or you’re having a bad hair… Continue reading
Rampant & Golden 