Ikigai

That noose

that strangles

with herculean conviction

that immortal hydra head of the ego is

that daily cold gold reminder

that everything I make with these hands

from that love to that morning coffee

is for You whose name brands

my skin from inside the band.

Joem Antonio is a Filipino playwright and children's story author who began actively exploring poetry in 2020 and microfiction in 2021. His work can be seen on www.joemantonio.com, www.exesanonymous.com, www.compactshakespeare.com, and www.lovecafeproject.com. He also gives writing workshops through www.storywritingschool.com and currently teaches at the University of Asia and the Pacific.