Tribute To A Slayer Poem by Cheryl L. DaytecYañgot

He was the man of the hour
as he stood in the gallery of supremacy
beside the queen.

He had spilled blood
inundating the kingdom
seeping through every door
driving a spate of fear
through every human heart
to the delight of the queen.

The slayer flaunted the bayonet
smeared with fresh plasma
and the desiccated gore
of the women and men who trod the
path of righteousness on a mission
to end inequity,
slain that others may live.

Mothers and fathers buried their sons and daughters
sons and daughters buried their fathers and mothers
while wives buried their husbands
and husbands buried their wives
as the queen adorned the slayer with laurels
and crooned his praises
the sycophants hummed the tune
they lifted the lid of the chest to let out
gold for more bayonets
to plunge into the heart of every man and woman
who sang a different tune.
'Long live the reign of terror! '
the singing went on
amidst the wails of orphans and the sickened
admonition of the world

A thousand innocent person's death is a man's glory
and a kingdom's accomplishment report
the cries of the orphans and widows,
a man's swan song and
a queen's inspirational hymn.

One day the kingdom will fall
and the children of lesser gods
will ascend the throne of power
and they will have their fill of justice and freedom
to every one according to need
from everyone according to ability.

4 July 2006

(During the 2006 state of the nation address, a yearly event when the Philippine president advises Congress on the state of the country to serve as bases for legislative agenda, Gloria Arroyo sang the praises of a General widely known as The Butcher for his brutal slaying of political dissidents.)