A round dark pebble 

Skates across the rough pavements of Serendra.

Being kicked multiple times as I walk,

I kick it again.

This time, my shoe strikes the pebble at an angle.

It slides off the pavement 

And rejoins the other pebbles laid on the sides.

A feeling of shame hits me and I look up.

There I see a Kuya tossing pellets into the fish pond.

As I step closer,

A novel scent slid into my nose:  

Dog food with a hint of cinnamon.

To the eye, it is selfsame to dog pellets

Cubed yet rounded edges, a rich walnut brown.

I politely ask the Kuya if I can try feeding the fish.

“Of course” he replies with the sweetest tone,

walking away as I lean over the fence.

A million carp fishes

All patterned with beautiful yellow and orange scales

Dance inside the green swampy water. 

The Kuya returns,

Holding a small paper cup with pellets filled to its brim.

I nip a single piece with my fingers.

The surface was rough and granular,

Seeming like a fine powder was compressed into this shape.

Its strong scent tickled my nose,

making me cough several times. 

Slowly, I dig my hand into the cup,

Grabbing a handful of pellets.

Tossing them into the swampy water

like a chef sprinkling flour over bread dough.

A pattering sound echoes as the pellets drop.

Ripples break the water’s smooth green surface as

A mosaic of yellow and orange scales 

form a beautiful tapestry in motion

Several handfuls are thrown in

Until the paper cup is emptied.