Morning Malevolence

By R.P. Pangilinan

I wake up every day, disgusted— The stench of a billion agonizing souls Fuming through my window into my nostrils.

The stench of another billion

Burning my eyes clean out of their sockets–

Yet fret I do not,

Who of us wishes to see when all there is, is horror?

Who among us can face Hell and hold onto his sanity?

Who?

Contempt I feel for my brethren, Contempt to all that cling to comfort like it's a right,

Who cling to luxury as if they are deserving; Do swine deserve to be dressed in gold?

To be served their slop from a chalice?

To sit content all day, laughing at their eternal jester? No, I proclaim that they do not

Nor does man deserve its unholy comforts. Without the fear of death looming over us Man fears fellow man more than anything In these “modern" times Only a fellow man is as scheming and traitorous;

As to cause real fear in a person's heart Like mold to the dark and damp. Distrust grows on Fear Ignorance grows on Distrust Hate grows on Ignorance

Billions of people sowing hate in the name of progress Tribals waging war, Ideologues ensnaring, Bodies going to waste, Souls being crushed– Love being sacrificed.

That is the world I wake up to.