June | 2011 | The End Justifies the Journey

NOTE: I wrote this in May 2004 (the Filipino version is the original), when the elections were coming up. It still is relevant because every elections, we get duped…

FLOWERS OF MAY (May 2004)

‘Tis the season once more for the Flowers of May.
A joyous parade for fools and so-called wise.
The Kings and the Queens of masked jesters all,
the cunning monkeys and the chameleons.

Let and behold the Flowers of May.
Each to its own charm, each to its own scent. All to be considered saints, yet with forked and treacherous tongues.

Follow the lead of the Flowers of May.
Thread the road that will lead you to Calvary.
Walk with the Judases that here abound,
here where Barabbas and Gestas masquerade.

Come and see the Flowers of May.
Would you dare take part in this promenade?
Halt! Wait a while, this I detest,
turn back, change the course of this deceitful parade.

Destroy! Demolish the Flowers of May!
For our lives shall gain nothing at all.
Forever rid of the thorns, Dear Motherland,
and leave the cross you bear on the ground!

FLORES DE MAYO (Mayo 2004)

Panahon na naman ng Flores de Mayo.
May parada ang hangal at mga henyo.
Mga hari’t reyna ng pagka-payaso,
mga tusong matsing at mga hunyango.

Masdan mo ang mga Bulaklak ng Mayo.
Kanya-kanyang kariktan, sariling bango.
Nagpupumilit silang magpaka-santo,
sanga-sangang dila, dilang baku-bako.

Sundan mo ang mga Bulaklak ng Mayo.
Makisama sa daan tungo-Kalbaryo.
Sumabay sa mga Hudas na narito,
Barabas at Hestas na nakikigulo.

Halika, o hayan ang Flores de Mayo.
Sasama ka ba sa Santacruzang ito?
Teka, sandali, ayoko yata nito,
ibalik, palitan ang paradang tanso.

Sirain! Buwagin ang Flores de Mayo!
Buhay nati’y hindi giginhawa rito.
Tuluyang alisin ang tinik, Bayan Ko,
at iwanan ang krus na pasan-pasan mo.