Padyak
05.19.09
alternating smooth and rough roads.
Pedaled through stinging heat and insulting rain,
coins clinked from shallow pocket loads.
Passengers burdened – gifts unrelenting,
through steep alleys and flooded back streets.
Stomach growled while driving at wits end,
barking away at landmarks – aesthete.
Eyesores rushed earnestly though traffic,
hopes and dreams walked upon.
Struggled against fatigue and hunger,
tightly guarded spare change wisdom.
Stepped inside a sorrowful ride,
to destinations of forgotten passengers.
Sadness fueled a pathetic desperation,
called out and delivered laughter.
A push and prayer kept this moving,
life made easier to live – not here.
Toothless bites of authorities thrown,
refuge to such, year after year.
Forgotten moments desired to find,
flashbacks of enriching thoughts.
Wishing clueless and hoping for more,
to fly above heavens sought.
*definition of padyak found here
Category: Inspirational Poems.
About the author: Zorlone
Zorlone, an anagram of my name. A title fitting to this blog of mine. Words are created every time such as blogs created online. This site will showcase thoughts translated into words. Dream. Create. Inspire.
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Lovely poem. I dig the visual cues and charged descriptors – burdened, unrelenting, pathetic, toothless, enriching. It’s very intimate from line to line, while feeling strangely distanced as a whole.
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Ah, I like the imagery in this one. I love it because it is not direct. You can still interpret this is any other theme. Nice job Z. Keep writing!!!
Recent blog post: Defiance
Dokie!!!
I thought paalis ka?
Padyak… Well described… I love the way you played with the words… Recent blog post: MM- Officially Missing You- Tamia
well i learned something today cos i didn’t know padyak! i know tricycab though
interesting subject for a poem! i like it! i always felt kinda bad for tricycab drivers esp. when they’re uphill!! i doubt i could pedal myself let alone passengers!!
Recent blog post: Archive Monday: Boobies
did you have any altercation with these people which insired the poem?
this is one proof that you deserved to be nominated Z!
You rock!
Recent blog post: For The One Who Walks In The Dark
i hopped from jan’s blog. in our place, we call it ‘trisikad’ as in ‘sikad’ = to pedal. then in our school we call it ‘princess2x’ because riding on it makes one exposed to the world like in a parade. you write good poems, it takes some talent to do that.
Recent blog post: bordering between thinness and madness
Ryan,
You got here first. Cool! Thank you for the kind words. I have edited this poem so many times, I kept trying to capture how I really felt through the words, but, am satisfied with this one for now.
Hope to see you back here.
Z
Yup, I was trying not to be too close to the subject, but trying to keep distant. Ooops, this is not a painting or photography, but, poetry is like that for me, since we can’t capture the moment or the feeling we have on a subject matter.
I appreciate your comments AJ!
Rock on!
Z
It was a quick… consultation
Thanks Lainy! That is indeed what happened. Play of words until, they fit. Or sort of fit.
Z
That’s how we call them here in Malabon and in Obando. Our city is below the sea level and it gets flooded a lot. So there are padyaks with huge tires, not this picture, that can effortlessly drive on a midcalf high rain water. Cool huh?
I tried doing that once, pedaling uphill, I had to ask my passengers to get off. LOL.
thanks floreta!
He he he! No.
Thanks Roy! I seem to slip away from the woof place, but, still hanging on. You are a very dramatic and a hard working poet yourself.
Birds of the same feather, huh?
Z
Thanks fifi!
It did. I posted this poem after midnight. Went back several times to edit. LOL.
Yup, there are different names in different regions and provinces, but the side car, padyak, trisikad, tricycab, etc are part of the Filipino culture. hehehe. This is just me showing this to the world.
Z
Nice one.We call it the rickshaw here in India.I’m jumpy now cause my results 4 the board exam come out 2moro on the net at 11 am IST.My college n career depend on what happens 2moro!!!!1
Hey, will be praying for you deeptesh!
Thanks! Ah, seen the decorative rickshaw in India in one of the Natgeo or
discov episodes. hehehe. Nothing like the power of the human body earning
decent money.
Z
I think a potential candidate has read this poem about pedicabs. What I don’t know is if he could truly relate with this poem in the same way that a padyaker could.
Recent blog post: About How This Blog Came To Be
Wow, saying that Luke means my blog has somehow reached their party. he he
he. I am still looking for a better picture. Here in Malabon, you can find
more colorful and taller padyaks on the roads. I will look for one asap. LOL
Z
Ahhh, kaya naman pala…
Visually descriptive work, love it!!
Recent blog post: Prairie Roots
Thanks a lot SG.
Z
Recent blog post: Padyak
Ahhh the padyak boys…here in Taguig we just called them tricycle drivers.
Nice poem… 
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Wow. Your imagery was fantastic… pulled me right in…
Loved it.
Recent blog post: Forever
Hi Z,
Love this one!! Escape is on thoughts of so many. If they are lucky to know different life they can dream of it and try to take action. We don’t really know how badly people want to escape until we see that ourselves or live that experience. Very well written!!
-Alex
Recent blog post: Puppet Show
Your poem inspired vivid images. Nalungkot tuloy ako. Naalala ko yung bata sa padyak ni Mar Roxas. At nung maalala ko si Mar Roxas, nainis naman ako!
Recent blog post: Rough Road in Rodriguez, Rizal
Yup snow, they come in different names and sizes. LOL. But they are all the same hardworking men on the streets earning decent cash.
Z
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Thanks robin!
Would have wanted to keep you reading here. Always a pleasure to see you.
Z
Recent blog post: WOOF Contest – Top Picks
Alex,
I wanted that feeling to be seen here.
A driver can only wish for a different life,
while he lives the present.
A poet like us travel worlds ends,
a luxury seen every moment.
Escape is the mind that wanders forever
but knows how to look back to the self
To dream is to eventually become
ones own master and worth.
got a bit carried away. hehehe
Z O:-)
Recent blog post: WOOF Contest – Top Picks
Ah, the lowly padyak driver. Why do I feel a personal affinity to his life?
Blogging can sometimes be likened to padyak. Does anybody feel the same? Not to unduly gross out anyone, but this says it for my padyak blogging woes:
“A push and prayer kept this moving,
life made easier to live – not here.”
I maybe off, but hey, I don’t need sympathy. I can brave it through rain and flooded streets too. Simply because the act of writing is its own reward.
Well done, Doc Z.
Recent blog post: It is Done: Here’s Writing to Exhale Now
Thanks Jan! Your presence is always welcome in my humble abode. This poem is
applicable to a all of us in many ways. I’m glad you saw through it. But
there are more stanzas and lines to decipher. hek hek hek…
Z
I’m sorry but I’m reading this poem from a very different angle…lol…I’m too courteous to mention it here. Well done, doc.
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I think I know what you mean…
Thanks!
Z
I knew I replied to your comment before. I wonder why it’s gone.
Anyway, thank you for liking-hating the poem. hehehe. Di ko nga maisip na ang bata na ganun e profound ang pagiisip. Henyo siguro. Medyo mature if you’d ask me.
Z
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