Between Darkness And Light

(Poem)

even if often

we go starve

and scrape off

the hardened burnt rice

at the bottom of the pot

ravished by time

still we push forth

our passionate journey

between darkness and light

while dancing

on the curtain of our pupils

the blazing memories

full of noble aspirations

its roots firmly founded

its tree hard as ebony

strengthening our knees

wanting to surrender

trekking the barbed path

battling the hills and plateus.

yes, we continue to journey

between darkness and light

even if ominous

the dark, rolling clouds

even if pallid, fainting

the sun’s reddish face

our feet shall follow

not the straight road

of the treacherous

of the few demigods who deceive us

but rather we shall always go left

in the crossroads of faith

towards the garden

of sweet-scented dreams

so too shall it robustly flower

liberty and joy

in our most beloved la tierra pobreza

so too shall all transfigure

towards the redemption

of the starving, wretched masses.

yes, my brothers and comrades

who’ve seen

the petals of tears

of human race’s grief

who’ve heard

the requiem of the unfortunate

who’ve felt

the rumbling of a twisting belly

who’ve stared at

the gaunt workers and peasants

inside haciendas and factories of greed

where they were incarcerated

yes, upon our journey aflame

between darkness and light

our feet shall soon reach

the realization of our hopes

we shall then rejoice

in the altar of liberty and joy

and burn the corpses

of the exploitative class!

(modified English version by Rogene Gonzales of the original Sa Pagitan ng Dilim at Liwanag in Filipino)