Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of Rizal by Danton Remoto

Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of Rizal by Danton Remoto

Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of Rizal
Danton Remoto

1.     I stand on the roof
2.    Of the Ateneo Municipal,
3.    Shivering
4.    On this December morning.

5.    Months ago,
6.    Pepe came to me
7.    In the Observatory.
8.    I thought we could talk

9.     About the stars
10.   That do not collide
11.    In the sky:
12.   Instead, he asked me about purgatory.

13.   (His cheeks still ruddy
14.   From the sudden sun
15.   After the bitter winters
16.   In Europe.)

17.   And on this day
18.   With the year beginning to turn
19.   Salt stings my eyes.

20.   I see Pepe,

21.    A blur
22.   Between the soldiers
23.   With their Mausers raised
24.   And the early morning’s

25.   Star:
26.   Still shimmering
27.   Even if millions of miles away,
28.   The star itself

29.   Is already dead.

Reference:P. (n.d.). Tulaang-pampubliko: Padre Faura Witnesses the... - poetikbalang. Retrieved August 05, 2016, from http://poetikbalang.tumblr.com/post/136877470851/tulaang-pampubliko-padre-faura-witnesses-the