fifty-four today. a sunday.
how many children does it take
to make you notice, america?
how many of our children?
do they have to dance
and prance about in pageants?
must they be killed
by their own mothers
before you take notice?
must they return unborn
before you value them?
how many children does it take?
how many of our children
is it worth to achieve "sustainable peace"?
will anyone be left to sustain it?
(I know you have sent your own
for reasons I still cannot understand
and I grieve your loss as much.
they were grown men of twenty years or more.
at least you saw the pleasure of their play
before you lost them.)
will five of our four year olds
suffice for one of yours?
how many children does it take, america?
how many of our children
before you say enough.
enough.
and leave us time to hold those
still breathing.
by Benjamin de la Pena
(maligayang bati, kaibigan)
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