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Monday, October 14, 2024

BOUNDED RATIONALITY (A Relational Poem in Economic Terms)

it all started with a want
the want turned into a need
scarcity is overwhelming
a rational plan has to succeed
the opportunity cost is high
while resources are depleted
yet I still have to make a choice
before the cycle is repeated

spiraling down into depression
I am nearly about to yield
then you appeared on my domain
I’m back on the playing field
the competition is very tough
options are there for you to rate
while I assess my real value
all I can do is to speculate

you opted to be normative
disregarding the positive side
without thinking of the risks
you joined me for a bumpy ride
it is not an optimum choice
trade-offs might hurt you more
and the contract we’ve made
is less than what you’ve asked for

expectations were elevated
up to an alarming degree
unintended consequences
has tested both our volatility
yet despite the heavy cost
we’ve reached an equilibrium
you demand while I supply
we’ve found a breathing room

projections were then created
while current situations fluctuate
our consumptions went up high
there were desires we can’t satiate
comparison became an option
a partnership became a liability
the final option left on the table
was to grant you your autonomy

there is no more balance
bargaining is out of the question
how can we reach a break-even
if we have the wrong equation?
we’ve tried to be more productive
but inefficiency is running deep
even our emotional investments
can’t save this broken relationship

trying to find more reasons
to keep our mutual dependency
but our opposing viewpoints
triggered a bounded rationality

RMP
10-13-24
Winnipeg MB Canada

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

EAT BULAGA THEME PARODY

Mula Dapitan ay merong kalbo
Nagpainterview sa host na kalbo
TVJ hindi natuwa
May umaangkin sa Eat Bulaga

Buong bansa ay agad nabigla
Sa Jalosjos may tamang hinala
Isang kalbo ang nagpasimula
Inaangkin ang Eat Bulaga

Sina Bullet, Jon at Romy
Mga bashers dumarami
Sila ngayon ang inaaway
Bagong hosts ay nadadamay

Buong bansa ay naghihintay na
Ano na kaya maging resulta
Si Vice Ganda tuwang-tuwa
Naungusan niya ang Eat Bulaga

Ang TV5 tuwang tuwa
Lumipat na ang Eat Bulaga

RMP
6-14-23
Winnipeg MB Canada

Monday, January 9, 2023

A CONFESSION

“People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

saw violence and malice at an early age

grew up in a place consumed by vices and rage

images were reminders every time I turn the page

a part of me is trapped inside a darkened cage

curtailed my freedom, beliefs were imposed

the authority within was simply unopposed

no breathing space, everything must be disclosed

there’s nothing I can do I was too exposed

silent crimes committed

from time to time

piling up regrets

while I was at my prime

sheltered doubts behind a pretentious wall

a deviation is made when I accepted call

failed expectations were written on the wall

I was not in control, that’s all I can recall

made a lot of mistakes, wasted a lot of time

went the wrong way while I was at my prime

didn’t see it coming I was too engrossed

with their expectations, I became a willing host

silent crimes committed

from time to time

piling up regrets

while I was at my prime

went with the flow while living in doubt

I just went too far until there’s no way out

and here I am trying to make sense of it all

only to realize that I was riding for a fall

dreams fell apart for every wrong choice made

a vicious cycle there were times I’ve felt betrayed

should’ve gone the other way and found my own key

instead, I ended up broken and hurting while I flee

silent crimes committed

from time to time

piling up regrets

while I was at my prime

the ending is unknown, everything just went wrong

the past echoes the melody of an unwanted song

no turning back the battle lines have been drawn

even with a confession there’s no way I can move on

silent crimes committed

from time to time

piling up regrets

while I was at my prime

RMP

01-09-23

Winnipeg MB Canada

Sunday, December 18, 2022

THE RACE

“Sometimes you hit a point where you either change or self-destruct.”— John Stuart Mill

blew a lot of chances

made a bunch of wrong turns

thought you had the strengths

to complete all your runs

but you were wrong indeed

you erred a lot of times

indecisions thwarted you

from crossing the finish line

it was a series of mistakes

that you failed to rectify

you relied on your pace

without asking yourself why

and here you are right now

part of a chaotic race

without a clear sign ahead

might vanish without a trace

no spectators

no one gives a damn

when trouble is on sight

they just look away and scram

relying for a failed support

your defeat is imminent

to them you might just be

a dispensable instrument

you’re on a lonely road

with more hills to climb

with every stride you make

you’re running out of time

not sure of the outcome

while running out of breath

what you are going through

is a fate worse than death

RMP

12-14-22

Winnipeg MB Canada

Thursday, December 15, 2022