Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of Rizal by Danton Remoto

Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of Rizal 

by Danton Remoto

1          I stand on the roof
2          Of the Ateneo Municipal,
3          Shivering
4          On this December morning,

5          Months ago,
6          Pepe came to me
7          In the Observatory.
8          I thought we would talk.

9          About the stars
10        That do not collide
11        In the sky:
12        Instead, he asked me about purgatory.

13        (His cheeks still ruddy
14        From the sudden sun
15        After the bitter winters
16        In Europe.)

17        And on this day
18        With the year beginning to turn,
19        Salt stings my eyes.
20        I see Pepe,

21        A blur
22        Between the soldiers
23        With their Mausers raised
24        And the early morning's

25        Star:
26        Still shimmering
27        Even if millions of miles away
28        The star itself

29        Is already dead.

Apo on the Wall by Bj Patino

APO ON THE WALL 

1. There’s this man’s photo on the wall
2. Of my father’s office at home, you
3. Know, where father brings his work,
4. Where he doesn’t look strange
5. Still wearing his green uniform
6. And colored breast plates, where,
7. To prove that he works hard, he
8. Also brought a photo of his boss
9. Whom he calls Apo, so Apo could
10. You know, hang around on the wall
11. Behind him and look over his shoulders
12. To make sure he’s snappy and all.
13. Father snapped at me once, caught me
14. Sneaking around his office at home
15. Looking at the stuff on his wall- handguns,
16. Plaques, a sword, medals a rifle-
17. Told me that was no place for a boy
18. Only men, when he didn’t really
19. Have to tell me because, you know,
20. That photo of Apo on the wall was already
21. Looking at me around,
22. His eyes following me like he was
23. That scary Jesus in the hallway, saying
24. I know what you’re doing.