Xmas
Does Not Arrive in Metro Manila
I.
It is unleashed.
By malls, shopping centers,
commercial establishments.
Bombardment of artificial lights
shaming the stars.
Stereos blare the seasonal songs
in aid of merchandise.
There are no silent nights.
The four-month season
in all its burlesque glory.
II.
In the slums, the children
have Cronus for their Father.
In the slums, the children
fall prey to Herod’s henchmen.
In the slums, the angels
drop their guard.
In the slums, the saints
don’t intercede.
III.
Come New Year’s Eve, fireworks.
There will be explosions.
And sparks, from firecrackers.
Some, from the mouths of guns.
One, the last Xmas light a child
shall ever see.
IV.
Somewhere, a manger.
Somewhere, a silenced night.
Karlo Sevilla
Karlo Sevilla is a poet and author of the Soma Publishing poetry ebook "Metro Manila Mammal." https://www.somapublishing.com/2018/05/metro-manila-mammal.html
Tags:
Poetry