February 16, 2011

A PARK IS BORN

Tonight, the cogon fires,
Tomorrow, the heavy tractors
tearing at the roots of ashes
We must destroy in order to create
the lovely and the irrelevant,
the park now a blueprint dream in
some first lady’s drawer (Some years
ago Bobby Kennedy was here.  They
covered the shanties with cosmetic palm.)
Yes, we must have a park
a green and beautiful sight
to rest our weary eyes.  And
tomorrow the rumble of tractors
not quite drowning the convulsed roll
of evictees’ feet. 


                                                              - Ma. Lorena Barros
                                                                1968