The Epithets Of Poverty Iii Poem by Raymond Cabrera

Can you feel it…?
The sad effects of what we called…
‘Tis the oil lamps in houses without electricity,
Piteous girl selling sampaguita along the road,
Hungry beggars that knocks on every window cars
One who sell street foods for everyday survival,
‘Tis the peddling under the sun for small amount
Prefers to walk, or ride a jeep rather than a taxi
Having no choice but to wear ruined shoes,
Wearing worn-out, ragged and filthy clothes
A treasure for a street child seeing a garbage bin
‘Tis how to budget a fifty peso for dozen of siblings
‘Tis when you dream for even the oldest model of cellphone;
Or you have a cellphone but don’t have money to load up
Asking for a tasteful soup at People’s Park,
A child playing chunks of wood as their toys,
A filthy boy who guides a parking car for a coin
‘Tis the thickening of your palm from hard day’s work
‘Tis the contractual job after many years in college,
‘Tis the envy when you see a thing you really
Need but forever cannot be yours,
Can you feel it…?
The sad effects of what we called…
Poverty?