Small Town
By Reuben R. Canoy and Claro R. Ceniza
THE MAYOR
The Mayor struts
Like a rooster.
He smiles at every one
But never at his wife.
THE BARBER
The barber is sad.
He cannot cut
His own hair.
THE COUNCILOR
The Councilor
Is a man of the people:
He eats binakbao
THE COCHERO AND THE JEEPNEY DRIVER
The Cochero and the Jeepney Driver
Are not on speeding terms
THE JUDGE
The Judge is an honest man
Among dishonest men.
Whenever he takes a rig to the courthouse,
He pays.
THE BEGGAR
The Beggar knows that
Money is the root of all evil.
So he takes it away from others.
THE SWEETHEARTS
The Sweethearts think
Of getting married.
Their parents say
They cannot live on love.
So they are going
To live with their parents.
THE CONVICT
The Convict is a believer
In Democracy.
He believes in freedom.
THE NURSE
The Nurse has healing hands.
Whatever she touches, lives
THE DOCTOR AND THE PATIENT
The Doctor’s manners are bedside.
While the Patient is on the deadside.
THE EDITOR
The Editor is worried,
His headline is receding.
Soon he will have
More face to lose.
THE IDIOT
The Idiot is a good man.
He makes others feel
They are wise.
THE MATRON
The Matron is morality personified.
The Young People think
She is morality petrified
THE BOOTBLACK
The Bootblack will someday
Become a president
Then he will really shine.
THE POETS
The Poets are not found
In the Small Town
They are found
In Mandaluyong.
