i hate taxis

an ode to manila taxis.

ahem.

rattletrap cockroach havens-
smokey, dusty, dangerous.
i take you only when i must.

your drivers are often rude or half-asleep.
i actually got out of a taxi in QC once
when the driver did fall asleep.

he woke up enough to chase after me for the fare-
which i did not pay him. LOUDLY.

filthy seats full of unknown stains
windows and doors that don't work
trunks full of propane tanks that
would explode like a bomb
should we encounter a "bump"...

my little girl begs for a peppermint
the moment we enter a taxi-
just to keep her tummy settled.

careening/slamming/screeching/rocking/swerving
harbinger of doom
how i arrive safely anywhere in one of these things
is simply the mercy of God...

clutch the back of the seat, hold on tight,
pray,
and YELL AT THE DRIVER
if necessary.

taxis, i loathe you.