misa sa edsa shrine

an ugly dance

i was a teenager.
he was a child.

i was clean.
he was unbathed.
I smelled like peaches.
He smelled like spoiled food.
I wore slippers against the heat of the gravel.
He had his feet pressed against the heat.
my clothes were perfect.
His was full of holes.

I was smiling.
He was frowning.

I crossed my arms in front of me.
He held up his with open palms towards me.
I lifted my head and looked towards the cross.
He bowed his head down and stared at a coin.
I listened to the priest.
He listened to money being passed around.
I see God here.
He sees money here.
I look at him again.
He is not looking at me.

He is smiling.
I am crying.

I was a teenager
But he was a child.

*something is very wrong in the system.
Let us not pretend to be blind.
Lives are at stake.
Please vote well.