LatinosUSA

«The World I Wallow in» by Maritess B. Javelona
           
I am living in an authentic world of politics.
T’is the voice of power is what everyone mimics
where fame is desired and where money speaks.
On top of poverty is a grafter or a corrupt that licks.
 
At home, a child wonders where authority resides-
With him who is bigger or with her who guides?
Whoever, then, the erring child has to decide
To gaslight the reality-all is a blessing in disguise.
 
Politics also exists in an academic institution’s setting
Not to be failed, one has to resort to graft in climbing
Into the heart of a teacher, one has to resort to knocking,
Worse, in exchange, a student has to have an offering.
 
Anyone’s workplace is not spared from the same case,
An employee who is wishing for a considerable raise
has to give in to an employer or just thicken his face,
Or, alas, he finds himself counting his numbered days.
 
In a company where one has a business transaction,
If one is “somebody”, one receives due accommodation
If one’s a “nobody”, then expect for the staff’s’ reaction
Indeed, a real scenario of discrimination and corruption.
 
How about a scenario if one were a customer?
Enters a store is one who looks prim and proper,
Surely, a salesgirl approaches, willing to get one’s order,
while she neglects the other one who appears a pauper.
 
Now, one cannot be called a circle or a friend.
If one is not “ïn” and cannot afford to bend.
Fake chums  they are who do easily offend
The low-profiled ones with hands do extend.
 
Or he might be somebody with a high position
He tells the people his alleged pro-people vision
But he is negligent of his illegitimate child’s tuition,
But on news cam, he and his all-for-a-show donation.
 
So, in this arena of this so-called politics
Where political strategies are called gimmicks
There are no more values, no more ethics
OMG, listen to what every dismayed heart seeks.
 
To go with the political arena should be an authentic action
Not plasticity nor hypocrisy nor shallowness nor pretension
Not “lagay system” nor graft nor deeply-rooted corruption
All the world needs is an authentic and value-directed transformation.

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The Poet:

Maritess B. Javelona is a teacher in English, tertiary level of Colegio San AgustinBacolod. She is 57 years old, married to Andrew T, Javelona. She is mother to two girls, Andrea B. Javelona, BSMT 3 and Maraiah B. Javelona, BS in Pharmacy 1, both at Colegio San Agustin, Bacolod City. She loves nature, life and most of all, God who has been the Source of everything on earth, big or small, seen or unseen.