Sa Gitna ng aking Pagkabalisa

 

In the welter of my own concerns,

I built a fortress — brick by worry,

roofed with late-night prayers

and ceilings that echoed only my voice.

I wore my struggle like a badge,

thinking mine was the only storm.

But the world — quiet,

kept weeping beside me

and I didn't even hear it.

The woman on the jeep beside me?

Nagmamadali hindi dahil late —

kundi may tatlong anak na walang gatas.

The tricycle driver?

Nakangiti, oo — pero may notice na pala sa bahay.

And me?

Too busy counting my own cracks

to notice someone else breaking.

Forgive me.

I forgot that pain doesn’t compete —

it coexists.

That everyone is fighting their own unseen war.

That someone’s silence

might be louder than my complaint.

So today, I slow down.

Not because I’m cured —

but because maybe, just maybe,

someone else

needs their pain

seen, too.

--billymac © 2025