Thinking of the Soul

Tears fall endlessly and anxiety is being felt so deeply.
They represent the love given to the country.
A kind of love deeper than other loves.
The love that extends to others and the wholeness of society.
Along with it is the strength dedicated to the greatness of the nation.

It hurts like the hurt that we could not fathom
because we have loved truly.
Our vision for a better country vanishes in every tears that fall in our eyes.
Dreams fade as anxiety looms in our heart in the darkest of nights.

The heart thinks in every line and every letter.
What does the future bring and what is it for?
It is true that the choice was collective but why does it hurt so greatly?
Where did we fail?

In every line and every letter, the heart hears the Divine.
The dictator may win today, but it is all temporary.
Justice will have its day and reign for eternity.
People in this country will examine their hearts.
Reflecting on what we have done as we remain faithful to our mission.

We will work with greater humility.
We will speak words that ennoble the heart of our fellowmen.
We will speak truth to power in the most creative of ways.
We will affirm the nobility of justice.
We will stand by just means to pursue just ends.
Even when the poor and moneyed influence oppress us.
We will fight peacefully and firmly against violence and vengeance.
We will continue our noble work to liberate the country we love.

Liberation from deception.
Liberation from greed.
Liberation of the heart from anger and violence.
Liberation that threads the path of righteousness.

After the tears and the pain, we will stand up and act with fervor.
We will work for a better country that we dreamed of.
Today and in the beautiful dawn of tomorrow.

*Loosely translated from my poem in Filipino entitled, “Taimtim na Pag-iisip”.