Virgen La Purissima Poem by RIC BASTASA

virgen la purisima
virgin most pure
a family icon brought from the rocky island of bohol
to the promised land of mindanao
by my great, great ancestors
on a wooden sail
facing the rough seas
for nights and nights
as they all ran away from the their oppressors
who compelled them to make those big churches
of rocks and lime
using their free labor
or face death,

or face the drowning death of the uncertain seas
if luck did not side with them
if faith they did not have

they arrived on this island of mindanao
and cleared the forest to
build their farms

they married
and built their houses
and farmed
and marked their territories

that was a hundred years ago
the family still lives
the tradition alive
the children and grandchildren and greatgrandchildren
had since multiplied like the sands of the sea
and they all prayed
and they still prayed
with heads bowed, kneeling
in silence, in song, in novenas, in dance,
in merrymakings where food is shared
where a new child's name is added
to the list of this huge family tree
where everyone has a name
and a responsibility
for centuries
mother mary most pure
virgin most pure
virgin la purisima
you have showered this family with intercession
some blessings from God
the protection from the rough seas
the strength of the wooden sails
which once sailed from Bohol
on that dark night
and for more dark nights
when there was no light seen ahead
when there was no hope of finding land
it was you
most dear mother
mother pure
virgen la purisima
our Dear Mother Mary, Mother of God
Who interceded for Light
Who gave the direction
For this clan to survive
to find land and to find anchor of its restlessnes
We are here again, and as always
Praying for your guidance and protection.