Why Do Kill Us?

(Poem)

we’re planting your rice

cleaning your sugarcane fields

of wild grass and shrubs

we’re taking care of

your mango trees and vegetables

to satisfy your lips

to make your stomach laugh

we’re working the whole day

in toiling your land

for you to enjoy an abundant life

and be blessed all the time.

why do kill us?

we’re your factory slaves

running your machines

manufacturing your clothes

so many cans of milk

so many bottles of softdrinks

so many capsules of medicine

we’re the companions

of saws and wood

of cement, sand and gravel

so your buildings rake wealth

we’re also the ones shouldering

numerous unreasonable taxes

that keep on multiplying

to feed the rich and the elite

and for big thieves in government

to always squander and plunder.

why do kill us?

we’re your dishwashers

we’re your maids and cooks

we’re your masseurs

we’re your car drivers

we’re doing your laundry

and taking care of your kids

and doing many menial jobs

yes, we’re your life’s support

so you can happily wallow

in wealth and extravagance

and enjoy to your heart’s content

the blessings of this loony world.

why do kill us?

we really deserve from you

many justified blessings

why don’t you treat us

as true human beings

within a righteous society

where social justice reigns?

till when will you trample

our sacred rights and dignity

and deprive us of a rosy future?

can you still blame us

when someday

we do mercilessly kill you?

why do kill us?

(my English version of BAKIT KAMI’Y INYONG PINAPATAY?)

with