September 26, 2009 : The Halo Halo People

the halo
halo people sleeping
on steps;
this heavy wind
the persistent rain






starless night . . .
ghosts lighting candles
for street kids



sleeping
above the water on
boards made
of bamboo and
dragonfly wings



storm warning . . .
the halo halo
dream of night


waking up
from the same dream
every night . . .
virgins dancing
in deep gorges


out of reach,
a brass ring waiting . . .
heavy rain


i bathe
in the light of a
nearby moon
crocheting hate into
neutered rhinos


dragonfly . . .
spare the rice field
that feeds us



opo will
will never strengthen
a people
used to being
another's monkey

* opo: tagalog for yes sir.


the meowing
of vendors selling
seasons



only you
can massage my feet
with tears
shed for the child you left
behind in samar


will buddha
step on the snails
eating rice?


deeper
inside i retreat
to the
wonderland i
painted as a child



tondo . . .
restless feet in
a dragon' belly



the trash
beside the river
tonight
reminds me of kids
swimming in the pasig



covered with
filth, the old beggar
greets winter


forever . . .
the toothless old
woman
posing for a photo
beyond the moon


spoiled rice . . .
a good day for our
worker's dog!


the monster
with his skin turned
inside out,
begging for money . . .
breathes the same air


like them, a
barren tree men
walk past

these people
love the company
of rats?
commune with cockroaches;
erase a child's dream?


scaling fish . . .
the pungent scent of
a buntis girl

* buntis: tagalog for pregnant


everywhere,
the naked little boy
without shoes
treating winter
like a children's toy



robert d. wilson
©2009