imagine Manila in white
like a necklace of sampaguita hanging
on an ivory saint’s neck
sweet and innocent, children’s fingers
braiding every flower

imagine Manila in white
like the lines on the concrete
leading you home after work
the streetlight a beacon beckoning
never flickering once

imagine Manila in white
like thin bones of the milkfish
from a table laden with every meal
you could ever wish for
and you leave always full

imagine Manila in white
like the stately pillars of our Congress
bleached clean, after a bone deep cleanse
and every paper is lined with veracity,
all receipts are released

imagine Manila in white
like the summer full moon
when we dance and sing of the past
and our song is full of pain
but the melody doesn’t stay the same

imagine Manila in white
like an infant’s first taste of milk
we thirst for what was promised
we thirst for what is ours until
our wails are silenced at last

imagine Manila in white
like the pearl left in the oyster
pristine and untouched
the sea is calamitous and yet
the pearl shines in the dark

my god, can you imagine?
imagine Manila in white