On Human Rights Day

On The Anniversary of Human Rights Day



It has been more than 30 years, but
for me, it is a time, once more, of remembrance.
Remembering Filipino young people who, once upon a time,
fought for the right
to have a voice, a vote;


For the right
to dispel the darkness
of the dictator's shadow
and know the taste of freedom
from one man's megalomania and greed;




For the right
for all a nation's people
to have a share of land,
of industry, of identity,
of education, of opportunity, of dignity;




For the right
against oppression; the right to know:
the culture of life and hope,
instead of the perpetual fear
of death and killing fields.


It is also a time
for lamentation
for youth lost, for innocence lost,
for futures lost;


It is a time
of grief, not only
for all who were lost
but also for those who survived:


the loss of idealism, 

the loss of belief
that every courageous act
had consequence;


that every sacrifice
had meaning.



MV Lazaro-Elemos
12/10/2015
Rochester, MN