“Itak sa Puso ni Mang Juan” ni Antipas Delotavo

Itak sa Puso ni Mang Juan

An Ekphrasis by John Philip Fajarda

He marches in pain with a dying will,

Tragic! A spur of blood coming from his chest.

One more step and the dagger-like tail will stab him in drastically.

Letter C for capitalism, colonialism? Or conceivably; Cancer in the society.

In despair! Described by a disturbed and anxious face.

Slouched. What is that frowning anyway?

Seemingly had accepted his fate; bowed down– a clear sign of submission;

Reckoned as weak; passive; over capitalists’ dominion.

Tan in color, decently dressed: a Filipino worker- surely;

“What can I do? Will I ever be free?”, could be playing in his thoughts;

Hopeless! As he cannot see the masses fighting for their right.

He is not alone, you’ll see, if you look to the glaring light.