KASAMA Vol. 10 No. 3 / July–August–September 1996 / Solidarity Philippines Australia Network

oozing and dripping

Once my old, tranquil self

hills verdant, vegetations lush

breezing, flapping serenity

the monsoon winds

and nocturnal wings.

once.

Barefoot moro, barefoot lumad

weight of soles

that struggled to survive

virgin woods, yes

lifespring.

long ago.

But fairer soles set foot

on my seaboards, my jungles

occupied lowlands

drove inhabitants

paled resistance

killed.

And to steadfast hills

and freezing interiors

familiar callous soles have rushed

a revolting

continuing

tragedy.

Yes, a land full of promise I am

until monstrous men

denude my jungles

pollute crystal rivers;

till minerals of aborigines

suck!

Giants aroaring! Craned, bulldozed

their hungry paths

thorning pineapples

pois’ning bananas

blooding

my canes.

Shells exploding o’er aching back

ear deaf’ning rapid fires

lark-based bombing missions

tinting rivers red

tearing flesh.

gunpowder!

Bloodshed drenching me thick

all over creeks and streams

oozing and dripping

pregnant promised land

pillaged

raped!

by Lamberto J. Apostol