The Soldier by Lily Chua and Sentry by Jose Mari Gotera

The Soldier 
Lilia Lopez Chua 

There are still many ways 
the same war all these years
the long arms of pain never leaving him
the enemies rising out from his body
like smoke
calling to a fire no one can stop
his body houses nothing but grief
he is older now
the years of fighting have taught him
how to roll himself into the size of a fist
to make the war his life
but sometimes when no one is watching
he curls up
into a cat
and mourns for having too many lives #


Sentry 
Jose Mari Gotera 

With an M-16 rifle slung 
on your tired  drooping shoulder,
your tense 
asian face 
stares worrying
into the dry
tropical noon

comrade, let us forget
all troubles at home

the glistening sweat
on your wrinkled 
forehead

and who cares about
wasted youth
or deep regrets

we are already deaf

to the sounds
of insects
and bushes
dehydrating
in the heat

and our lonely war
is the sudden
bullet of hunger
and despair

the jungle has unleashed

in a world
that is greened

with too many partings#

Dream of Unity

Dream of Unity   (to Mufti Ismail Menk)

By Nassefh Macla

When grenades rumbled at Lanao forests,

I thought the dream would remain a dream

In slumbers during nights of sweat and pain.

The nights when more eyes were rather awake, 

Peeking at open windows, than asleep and calm.

Now those eyes are fixed onto you, sparkling

Like dews over leaves do when the sun rises.

And I am the eagle observing everything.

In this place where a Maranao sits with a Tausug, 

Where a Kaagan shakes the hand of an Iranun,

Where a Maguindanao smiles at a Sama,

Listening to the war stories of their umpos.

They all listen to you, minds are refreshed

About the holiness of Ramadhan, the month 

Where blessings rain. And though they 

Already knew, they still look like kids 

Listening to the war stories of their umpos.

My bapa heals his wounds, from shrapnel  

And loss. Soon, his gashes will become  scars,  

Dusts on skins will be wiped off, and he will make  

His way back to us, flashing the smile of relief.

You may not meet him here yet in Jannah,

We shall all be united. And we will keep 

Dreaming of unity until we get there. #