Those Who Still Have Black Blood Under Their Feet

Those Who Still Have Black Blood Under Their Feet

know the faces
of your friends and family
like the landscape
you grew in

remember every street corner
you walked in the day
and then at night
when the dogs
called you as if you were
one of them

you will not see them again
in the same light
not anybody or anything
that has teeth

your skin will be the desert’s

we shall release you from this burden
this nation of bleeding
each other dry

ripping each other
to shreds with petty beliefs
and primitive arms

just watch the skies
listen to the humming
of our oil-thirsty machines

we will bring you peace
and forgetting

now run

-o-

This poem was first published in the revived Caracoa by the Philippine Literary Arts Council.  It has been selected as one of six finalists in the current Goodreads.com poetry competition. No prize up for grabs except for inclusion in the Goodreads.com Newsletter which reaches millions, apparently. If my poem wins then it would be a good way to spread the word about ALIEN TO ANY SKIN.

Here’s the link to the competition. You need to join Goodreads.com and sign up with the discussion group POETRY! in order to vote. I know it’s a long shot, but hey, any way to spread the word about this book can only be good, right? Here’s hoping.

At the moment orders outside of the Philippines may be placed with Kabayan Central and Mary Martin Booksellers.

ps I found one review of Caracoa 2006 by poet Marne Kilates. Mentions my poem which he understandably considers to be about Apartheid.

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