Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lit. Alecia Castillo
Lit. Alecia Castillo
“Pitek”
Brown and tiny legs
In the corner of your house
Deafened by your scream
“IF”
If I could turn back the time
When women have no rights in education;
When women have no rights to work;
When women have no rights to refuse
I would stand at the front of the crowd
And shout---women were not born to be SLAVE.
STARVATION
It was Monday morning when people were in hurry. The beeping vehicles and sirens of
ambulance disturbed me from dreaming. Groceries and hospitals were busy. Then suddenly a
black luxury car stopped at my front. A fat woman wearing with a mask came out.
“Come on, we’ll be run out of stock...the two of you stay here.” she exclaim and throw me a
stare. “wear your mask!” as she added.
Is there anything new? They always do that when they saw me.
I get the box beside me and unfold it. I used it as my mat and laid again. I ignored my growling
stomach and I just closed my eyes. Though I couldn’t see the surroundings still I could hear their
human needs.
1 pm the same day. I just awaken by the mad sunlight. No souls roaming in the street even
vehicles were gone. Where did they go?
And then a patrol car came announcing... “No one is allowed to go outside. Stay at home. Keep
safe and stay virus free.” as the sherif turn on his megaphone.
Virus!? Should I be afraid of it? No! I’m used to it.
I stood up and brought my plastic packs. Should I say I am at peace walking in the street only
cats and dogs running. I saw some people from a grocery store. I walked on and stop at the
garbage can to look for some foods. Found it! A box of food. I opened the box and saw a leftover
of fried chicken. I was so hungry to lick even the box. I felt I was choked so I coughed.
“Stay away from him you might be infected.” as I heard the voice from my back. When I turned
around I saw them in a distance covering their mouth with a pile of boxes on their cart.
Without a word I walked away.
2 days passed I kept on coughing and still the whole city is being quarantined. I felt cold but my
body was hot. I heard from the news that people who have felt some symptoms must go to the
hospitals. I slapped myself thinking of impossible things.
3 weeks passed I felt something pressing on my stomach. Because no people were allowed to go
out I couldn’t find some foods from the garbage neither from restaurants. I was thinking if I go to
the hospital maybe I could ask some foods from them knowing that the only establishment was
allowed to operate.
My stomach was aching but I ignored it. Until I found myself waiting at front of the hospital’s
lobby. An ambulance came with a rushing people inside wearing with an overall clothing. They
opened the back door while others were pulling the patient in a carrier.
“Careful!” as a man instructed.
“Ahuhhh..!” as I coughed men were staring at me. Until I just felt I was sweating and my knees
were soften. My sight blurred and then became dark.