Lessons

Lessons (still, let’s underSTAND)

I am fully aware that the StudentsAlliance for Nationalism and Democracy(STAND) Political Party won bymajority vote (and seats in thecouncil) almost 4 years ago because ofthe support of the students,particularly in the University of SanCarlos - Talamban Campus (USCTC). Thebasis of their unity is the new policyon haircut and uniform.

Several hundreds were mobilized.Since then, STAND dash-off its studentpolitical rivals.Convening student organizations toprotests on the issue includes theLeague of Filipino Students (LFS),Anakbayan (AB), the Fratertinity andSorority Council and other traditionalorganizations included in the broadalliance, which focuses on the issueon uniform and haircut policy.

It wasa triumph of genuine understanding ofbroad alliance vis-à-vis strengtheningthe activists’ mass movement insidethe University of San Carlos whileisolating the narrowest target.It was also a triumph of selflesssacrifice to the leaders and membersof national and democratic (ND)organization such as LFS and AB inUSC. Never in the entire campaignperiod had I heard that the leaders ofsuch ND organizations telling me itwas they who make it possible to winin the SSC election. They alwayscredit to the broad support theyreceived from the Carolinian community(including the teaching and non-teaching personnel).

The latest update I received throughtext messages coming from theincumbent, supporters and alumni ofSTAND regarding the status of thecouncil election is depressing. Priorto the campaign period, severalutterances flying like wild-saucersproclaiming, among others, the pendingvictory. I am glad to hear thoseutterances, both the positive and thenegative.

Indeed, the broad masses of studentslive through what they are doing.Their message is clear. If we failedto listen and serve to theirinterests, rejection is on our way. Ihope that in the next few days andweeks, we will set aside ourdifferences, recognize and rectify ourerrors and move forward like we neverdid before.That is the only way to reclaim ourmorals—which is essentially thejustness of our cause. (rod)

My Prince sprouts in the land of suffering

My Prince sprouts in the land of suffering
JUNE 2001 SEMI FINALIST NORTH AMERICAN OPEN POETRY COMPETITION

My Prince sprouts
In the land of suffering

Yesterday, I saw green scenery
Full of hope

The birds sung freely
Without minding the agony

The peasants toiling the land
They till for centuries

The land cried, shed tears, and drew blood
She can no longer cope the hotness of the sun.

Its rays followed me
Wherever I go

Which was yesterday, kept her green
Came the hour of reckoning

Truck came and dust became the color of the day
No more birds.

The dark man wearing a black shirt

The dark man wearing a black shirt
MARCH 2000

I wanted to ask him
Whether or not he prefers
To write essays, poetry, and
Fiction

But I dare not
While he continues to open
The pages of newspapers and magazines

I, too, wanted to make friends with him.
Together we will read the newspapers and magazines
But, I dare not. I prefer to write essays, poetry and
Fiction

The black shirt he wore
Was my favorite. I haven’t
Wore it now because the
Closet was locked.

THE SONG OF SONGS

THE SONG OF SONGS
Chapter 8:5-10
(A new translation by Ariel Bloch and Chana Bloch)

5
There, beneath the apricot tree,
Your mother conceived you,
There you were born.
In that very place, I awakened you.

6
Bind me as a seal upon your heart,
A sign upon your arm,
For love is as fierce as death,
Its jealousy bitter as the grave.
Even its sparks are a raging fire,
A devouring flame.

7
Great seas cannot extinguish love,
No river can sweep itaway
It a man tried to buy love
With all the wealth of his house
He would be despised.

8
We have a little sister
And she has no breasts,
What shall we do for our sister
When suitors besiege her?

9
If she is a wall, we will build
A silver turret upon her.
Is she is a door, we will bolt her
With beams of ledar wood.

10
I am a wall
And my breasts are towers
But for my lover I am
A city of peace