Speak up, Speak Now

Do you hear the voices of people chanting? A rhythm runs their steady marching. The people have taken to the streets, all. One look at the headlines reveals why they are troubled.

Affected are they who have chosen to fight Workers of today and tomorrow unite. In the hopes of a better future, they rage. It is a fight for what’s to come that they wage.

The silence speaks for what one doesn’t say. Privilege affords the hushed tones they stay. Eyes, wide open, see nothing but the good. Mouths, zipped tightly, say nothing that is crude. Power lies in written text and in voices. What is power, if not the driving force of choices? Silence is but a masterful puppeteer, That takes hold of the limp strings of fear.

Obedience veils one’s cowardice, Just as ignorance presents the false hope of bliss. If not for your future, then speak for the rest. Let your courage fester, and fight for what’s best.

Raise a glass

To freedom, we cry As we cross the threshold with stars in our eyes And send to the sky our voices, with pride We have finished! We bid you goodbye

We bid you, remember, the banners we raised They stand upon the paths we paved We fanned fleeting embers to flame It falls unto you to do the same To know which branching path to take To tame the tangled strings of fate All roads diverge in the woods; yet we We saw the forest among the trees

We’ll raise a glass to the comrades we made To bonds that they can never take away And from this battered ship, we alight To tell the story of tonight

So fill to us one last parting glass And raise one more to you and your class To the victories that you have yet to claim And the bitterness of defeat, all the same

Now your post at the helm has begun The repertoire outlives our glory days Our wills have been done; The old guard has gone What banners will you raise?

MHARQ GHIERZEY T. ABE

JEROME RICARDO M. CERALDE