I See Her

When she speaks of all her hardships and struggles,
...I see her strength.
When she prays so late at night for everyone to be alright,
...I see her commitment.
When she cleans the kitchen floor,
corner to corner on her aching hands and knees,
...I see her toughness.
When I see her outside playing baseball with my six-year old cousin Marky,
using the palmolive bottle,
a wooden stick, and a lemon as the ball,
...I see her creativeness and energy.
When she laughs out loud, so happy almost to tears,
...I see her joy.
When the whole family is together,
...I see her smile.
...I see her love.
...I see Inay.
by Glenda Macatangay, March 1996