Good morning, Philippines

the blood cries out to you today
of the many dead men and women
sacrificed in the altar of security
  and prosperity
  and comfortable living
  and progress

their blood now seeps into the concrete
flowing down the dark smelly sea
that welcomes your ferry boats and cargo ships
that carries the designer bags of this season
of hate

the rains have come to help
wash away the rusty blood on the gutters
mixing it with dark water
that will be gathered
so garbage pyres may be built and incinerated
so black smoke can rise in the air
a pleasing stench for the god of progress

what of their crying widows, and orphaned children?
hush! drama-drama lang yan.
how inconsiderate of them to exist
while we exist
here enjoying this delicious bloody mary.
(cheers to the good life!)

the blood cries out to you today
of the many dead men and women
you never knew.
Gardo. Michael. Lester. Mac-mac.
Susan. Jennilyn. Tonio. Jay-jay.
Rustom. Lenny. Brian.
An endless humming of names whispered
by the ground that knows them
upon which we will build another mall.

Good morning.