We Wait, a Poem for the Philippines

For the Typhoon Victims in the Philippines, December 16, 2011

Clammy, life-forsaken mud

All around

After the washings of Washi

Bathed our island of a town

We 40, lie and wait

Still damp and cold

And growing old

As minutes pass and fold upon the hour hand

We wait

For familiar faces to name us

180 stories and worried typhoons

Of hope and sorrow

We blame the earth

For our current dumpsite worth

We wait

For 250 hands to touch our brows

Kiss our cheeks and claim us

We sit next to mounds of memories

600 bellies tall

We wait

For a voice to call out

To recover us, discover us

To smother us with relief

And lay us down to eternal sleep

In our own bed of peace

1000 heart-pieces mingling

With hopes to be found

Lost in the middle of the chaos

From the floating toss of the aquatic squeeze

Aloft what once was our walking ground

We all utter but one sound into the passing breeze:

Silence

As we

Lie in wait

Lie in a state

Too sleep to be awakened from

Lying still

And still waiting

To be found

To belong

To be...

Remembered

Reviews

[richardneave]

Hi,
I like your poem. I found it very moving and so very relevant, even now with the recent earthquake.
I am always asking myself and God, why do the Phillipines always have to suffer so. I think the people have so much faith,and coping skills. I love the Phillipines and the people.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

The fluidity in the words... you capture the readers attention and progress through the lines... Thanks for writing a heart-felt lament...

[Kaa Na Kalyanasundaram]

good writting for the people of philipines. good.

[Everett DeValle]

Wow, Tinasha...beautiful...the care in your words for my people...tugged at my heart with your spoken words. It shows people care other than themselves.