remember when we played bang-sak within the hallowed walls of the kumbento that we used to treat as playground?

we marched our way inside the church but we couldn’t find a spot to hide from the seeker

“this way” you led the way going to a jeepney nestled beside the plaza.

we hid our bodies like members of a guerilla—afraid to be shot dead.

after all, that was what this game was all about—never allow the seeker catch us and shout ‘bang’ straight to our heads

but isn’t this what we are now?—hiding

to never allow their eyes to land on our bodies, both nestled within the pillars of an abandoned nipa hut;

to never allow them say words that serve as guns and shoot us both until we cry blood