Skip to main content

Ode to a Comrade 2


You set the path, not only for me
But for many of us,
My steps were tentative
Unsure how to proceed.
You led us gently,
Giving a little prod if need be.
I was one of the impulsive ones,
Yet, you managed to make us tow the line
Through soft but firm reminders.

Together we climbed mountains,
Carefully threading treacherous trails.
Crowing our triumphed upon reaching the top
Though our happiness was short-lived,
As we took the degradation around us.

Some nights we would sat down in circle with others,
Either sharing our poetry,
Or simply basking in the glow
Of the flickering bonfire
And warmth of friendship
With kindred souls gathered
Under moonlit and starry skies
Frolicking to the beat of “tam-tams” and “kubing”
Which, even my timid self could not resist

Far from our homes
You introduced me
To our many families
In the midst of the poor,
Who are far more richer in spirit
They opened not only their homes
But as well as their hearts
In them, we found,
Our mothers,fathers,sisters and brothers
Not related in blood but accepted us
And love us just the same.

You may appear somber
Which shows that looks deceived
For you love to laugh and play like a child
Like me you like to draw and paint
But unlike me, you never hesitate to try
As many time you tried
To etch my features in your pad.

You have such a nurturing soul
At times, you’d braid my hair
Adoring my simplicity
Wishing that I’d remain that way
While talking on a myriad of topics
Over endless cups of bitter coffee.

You’re the culprit
When I fell in love with the Little Prince
Enhancing my penchant
For the moon and the stars.

You left me a legacy, Ernst Bell
To cheer me up when am sad
A beloved companion
With a twinkle on its eyes.

Many times, I wanted to retrace my steps
To the point when our steps were in tandem
My small steps with your long easy strides,
When your big palm closed over my small ones.

How I missed you,
My friend, my comrade.
Maybe in the hereafter,
Our paths will crossed
Our steps will be in unison again.
Hopefully, my steps will be much firmer…

P.S. I would have like to light a candle for you but wrote this instead…

12:11am, 10July2009,dc

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Last Autumn Bloom

Woke up to a chilly morning As night and day seemed to tug at each other Peered through the frosty window pane There in the flickering light of autumn dawn A lone white rose is in bloom… 13 october 2010  Alkmar,Netherlands
3 comments
Read more

Invitation to a Prayer Vigil in Solidarity to the Subanen of Midsalip and for Peace Mission to Carmen and Kabacan,North Cotabato

Dear Friends, The Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement (MPPM) Zamboanga Peninsula Cluster is currently organizing a delegation that will do a prayer vigil in solidarity to the Subanen of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. This Subanen community is threatened with the entry of MMEC mining firm formerly the Geotechniques and Mining Inc (GAMI). Should any friends and allies want to join the group, you may contact Ms. Tanie Suano at 09196919686. On another front, MPPM will also join in the peace mission that will start tomorrow in Carmen and Kabacan,North Cotabato on the recent clashes between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). For those interested to join, you may contact Mr. Romy Saliga of the Lumad Development Center at this number: 09195089759. Alternatively, you may also contact the Secretariat of MPPM at this number: 064-4211358 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting           ...
Post a Comment
Read more

An Insider’s Account on the Forensic Investigation of the Nov23 Ampatuan Massacre

The November 23 Maguindanao massacre have shaken many of us. I was in a place with the only access to the outside world is through a 2-channel television when the news of the carnage broke out. Thus, the magnitude of the incident only sinks in the next day when I read it on the papers. A colleague had to make a trip to the City to buy the papers. Scanning the news, a victim’s name from the media caught my attention. A chill ran through me, it was one of our Council of Peoples’ Representatives from the Bagobo tribe, Mr. Napoleon Salaysay, from a local community paper in Cotabato City. I did not have the chance to get to know him fully, but I feel a deep sadness, not only for him but also for the rest of the massacre victims and their grieving families. Like other ordinary citizen, I also felt outraged with the callousness and impunity shown by the perpetrators. When the call from Atty. Harry Roque of CenterLaw Philippines came that his organization is planning to bring in forensic ...
Post a Comment
Read more