This morning,
I woke up early
to buy the
ingredients of
your favorite
food.
As I promised
to papa, I
went to the
market and looked
for the freshest stocks
sold.

Then I cut the
lumber in our
backyard;
used them to fire
the stove.
I washed the
stained dishes
and cleaned up the
messy kitchen
without any
use of gloves.

I cooked the
food the way
Papa told me
and placed it
On his favorite
plate.

I put some garnishing
for you to like it,
with tomato
so red
shaped into flower
like the rose he
gave you yesterday.

But as I open the
door of your
room, I
accidentally dropped
your favorite food
and broke
Papa’s favorite
utensils.

Only because
of what I saw,
a stranger unclothed
Sleeping beside
you.

– Red Perez