FEW HAVE HEART FOR THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO

FEW HAVE HEART FOR THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago


Few have heart for the out-migrant
Few recognize the grinding hardships faced
In strange lands
Few sympathize yet so many beg
For the migrant’s gift when home
S/he comes –the rich person
Overnight. Overnight is saved money
Sucked too by bloodsucking kins
And neighbors and all.

Never mind the possible abuses
Or racist exploitations encountered
The compatriots surely have heart
When the migrant gives, when
And only when wine flows
And songs are sung upon arrival, when
Home is filled up by multitudes
Home is fiesta’s venue everyday!

The migrant’s absence makes people
Caricature him/her and kins
As a malignant felon.

No, nobody sympathizes with the migrant
Just wait till s/he arrives, when
The sky showers with Imeldific graces
Happy are kins and friends
Happy is government too
Happy is the merchant
Happy is everyone but
The migrant.


[Writ. 04 June 1991, Cubao, Quezon City, M.Manila]