The creek has life, streams live as they
serpent-like meander through
the lush greens of the forest – even
the mountain fairy – like you – smiled
mesmerized – just like your words – enchanting –
echoing. Each “My Dear!” a lifetime spell
that binds – each time capturing our hearts . . .  

You taught us not just the ecology
of our fresh waters – that they breathe
as they flow. You left us lessons
that kindness always brings
the most precious gifts -
about our own humanity . . .

Your starving legs never got tired
as they struggled and waited for what
you yearned - freedom - so elusive -
from omnipotent hunger - not so much
for you as for your daughters - all six
of them, them, your gems - and your
people . . . Your feet stepping
on shrapnel-riddled pavement
were like baker’s hands
kneading precious dough -

But the place is not one posh
Bread Avenue in one European
paradise - but in Gaza - where
reaching for life-giving bread
can get a father killed - by bombs
merciless - raining from the skies -
not gifts from the heavens
but brutal strikes from drones
eyeless, ruthless - AI-guided
Grim Reapers in one cruel war -
one genocidal war . . .

Tila nga bantulot at pipi na
ang gitarang noo’y kasama
sa ereheng tambol-banda
suot ang katsang sutana
inarimuhunang sako ng harina
meron pang kupyang bao - mapula.

Kinukulbit ng kiming baka-sakali
Di pa naputol ang kwerdas na bali
Nalaglag ang pik sa may pusali
Pinilit umimik ng lumang kudyapi
Paos man ang tinig, pahinga’y dagli
Ang mga ulat at tula’y di magagapi . . .

In Myanmar and Thailand,
images of bodies
dropping from skyscrapers
or cranes displaced, dislodged
natural disasters
humans sadly helpless

In Gaza, Palestine,
images of bodies
tossed high up to the skies
faceless, mercilessly,
by genocidal bombs
Humanity can't rest . . .

Our hearts cry, eyes are dry . . .
tounges, ears, anaesthesized . . .
Nostrils and throat choking
with insensitive air . . .
Impunity's blowing
And suffocates the soul!

Who said 'All life matters' ?
Who's sad? - All lives matter . . .

Webs catch the small flies
But big bees just pass through them.
Talk about justice . . .

Defenseless they say
Small, unarmed. Ah they know not
That strength in numbers . . .

Drowned by roars and claps
Lost beneath jungled blankets
I found my mind free.