This is my fourth post related to the October 15 earthquake that struck Central Visayas where our beloved province of Bohol took the greatest brunt. I seem not to have gotten over the trauma yet and this blog is one release. To my readers, I humbly ask for your indulgence.

Almost two weeks have gone by since that fateful day. With very limited evacuation centers, displaced families are still sleeping in open fields...in tents or just makeshift covers. Even for those whose houses are still standing strong the fear of aftershocks is driving them away from their bedrooms. We were no exemption. That very night after the quake our beds found their way to our front lawn. Just that one night and I barely slept, even with the moon smiling bright above us.

under the moonlight
thousands sleeping outside homes
life preservation


oo0oo


big moon shining bright
no comfort to fearful hearts
trauma of tremors

Becoming attached to material things that have long been with us is just but normal. For one thing, the sentimental value adds an appreciable weight to its actual value. Understandably, giving away something we have come to love and treasure carries with it a certain degree of joyous pain, joyous on the thought of having made the life of another person happier.

Losing a thing is definitely another story. It's not a joyous pain but one of sorrow or even anger. However, circumstances matter. The pain may be completely absent and, surprisingly, in its stead...thankfulness and relief. This is exactly what I felt in the morning of October 15 - seeing the two jars shattered to pieces but realizing our house was unharmed by the  earthquake.

two precious big jars
helpless against the tremor
broken and shattered


oo0oo


early tuesday morn
two jars yielding to the quake
a loss...and relief