That Seemed Good

He found me wandering in Quiapo* and offered 
to take me home. That seemed good.

He said, 'You need a good bath to remove 
all that grease off your body.'

He led me into a room where there was 
water and a bucket.

He cleaned me up with soap. His hands 
polished parts of me to his satisfaction.

He led me to a bed and said, 
'You need rest.' That seemed good.

He laid me down. My hair still wet. He said, 
'I will take care of you' as he undressed.

First, he let go of the pants then underwear,
dropping them on the floor.

I watched him get close to me, his weight 
pressing heavily. Then, he got up.

Leaving a twenty-peso bill he told me, 
'Buy yourself some candy.' That seemed good.