When today’s march ends by sunset
And the night’s doors start to open
You stretch your weary feet
What words can you say and write tonight
Than wishing a good meal
On the peasant’s bamboo floor…
The kids are playing around the bonfire
As more peasants gathered the front yard
You started to talk with the old men and women
Telling their hopes of good farm harvests,
As against the past production losses,
You asked them of their community’s campaign
On production drive, and the struggles against
Usurious loans, reduction of land rent…
They have their gains, indeed, in raising a bit higher
Prices of their farm products and wishing to earn more
The peasant abhorred the king’s tax reform package
That raised prices of basic commodities and services
And that their P300 amounts to only P200 worth of goods
Compared with the first quarter of the year.
(Meet Mago Contributor) Maya Daniel