It Must Not Demean Me Poem by RIC BASTASA

Pinoys working along
the forested areas
cutting logs for a living
under chinese businessmen's concessions

a waitress serving me salad
in French Cafe

janitors same color as my skin
driven away from
home

pirates thriving on the islands
kidnapping for ransom
from Sipadan
those white skinned professionals
enjoying their vacation
basking in the sun

no, i am not demeaned at all
for all these brothers seeking a shade
of a tree
under the same sun