Sole green heart rising from rubble

And sediment of typhoon & flood,

Leaf on frail stem poised to appease

Looming hunger: The storm has passed,

The Volcano rises in the distance,

Cone that pleases the eyes but source

Of mud and debris that buried towns and

Lives. The rain has ceased, the people 

Pick up their lives―ruin, remnant, rags―

Taro, laing, apáy, Colocasia esculenta,

Air-dried or fresh, simple stew or palusag,

Slight taste of salt over steaming rice,

Smoked tinapa to banish the taste 

Only of tears on the tongue: Rise, 

Sprout, thrive firm on sod, sediment, 

Mud. On the tiny hairs of your heart-shaped

Leaf, the last drop of sorrow slide .

 

 

Marne Kilates

27 December 2021

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