Why They Are Not Into Laughter Anymore. Poem by RIC BASTASA

well it's been years
and here we are gathered
again on the beach
with relatives and some
close friends.

been from a long journey.
one from madrid, the other
from london. Yes, the one
from singapore is sleepy.

what is happening here?
everyone is busy with their
cellphones and the roasted
pig is getting cold. The wine
lost the chill already.

i am trying to take you
all back into each other's
conversation, perhaps,
reminiscing childhood
and the common bonds.

Susan is still the silent
type, keeping all things
to herself. Just saying
Madrid is losing grip with
its economy period.
And Cely is going back
to London, not as a tourist
but as another domestic
helper part timing as
caterer to the rich ones.
She did not marry. She
does not have a child either.

Mimi is with her daughter.
She just finished her
accountancy and will be
taking her board exam this
july. Her other daughter
married early, got a baby
and she did not like her
happy-go-lucky husband so
she drove him away.

what is this all about?
times indeed runs so fast
and it changes us.
Now we are escaping thru
these cellphones. Unable
to connect back. Or does
not really like to be
connected.

someone is taking pictures
of the trees which had grown
taller. Leaves and heaps of
it are gathered on its roots.
Rotten ones. keep it healthy.

we know what she is suffering.
she told us she can eat
anything she wants despite
doctor's advice. Roasted pig
and medium rare steaks.

the doctor says she has
only six months to live.
stage four breast cancer.
who cares? she said.
she has no one. No husband
No child. Somewhere in London
she lives alone, and she is
no longer going back there.

now i understand why are
they all busy with their
cellphones. Why they are
not into laughter anymore.