SAFE HAVEN

“Some human beings are safe havens.” Rumi

in the midst of chaos
you work unselfishly
fighting an unseen enemy
you answer the call of duty
leaving loved ones behind
you headed to a battlefield
armed with heroic dedication
your courage is now our shield

you’re a safe haven
but we've to do our share
your task will be a lot easier
if we show how much we care

hope is what you bring
your presence an inspiring sight
in a nation divided and scared
you fortify our will to fight
it will never be an easy task
since you’ve to pay the price
sometimes in your line of work
you make the ultimate sacrifice

you’re a safe haven
but we've to do our share
your task will be a lot easier
if we show how much we care

words are not simply enough
to show how thankful we are
keeping us out of harm’s way
you’re going deep into this war
you won’t give up this fight
until your noble work is done
our prayers are with you
this battle can still be won

RMP
3-30-2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

KUMUSTA MGA KABABAYAN (To the tune of Kumusta mga Kaibigan by Maria Cafra)

Kumusta, mga kababayan
May alcohol pa ba riyan?
Tagal nang wala akong makita
Kung meron man sobrang mahal na
Pati toilet paper ay nadamay na
Ako po'y nag-aalala
Baka ako’y maubusan na
Ay naku, 'wag po sana

Chorus:
Kaya ngayo’y narito
Sa harap ng Costco
Upang bawasan ang paranoia
Ng ulo ko
Isip ay toilet paper roll
Table-tabla tayo
May hawak na marami ang kamay
At maghohoard tayo

(Repeat Chorus except last word)

... Tayo

Kumusta, mga kababayan
May supply pa ba riyan?
Stock di lang pang pamilya
Meron pa para ibenta

Kumusta, mga kaibigan
Ok ba raket diyan?
Kumusta, mga kababayan
Ok ba ang hatian?

RMPalevino
3-14-2020
Winnipeg MB Canada

CHAIN REACTION

“Extinction is not an event; it is a chain reaction.”

minds on survival mode
triggered by so much fear
the cure is still unknown
an outcome is unclear
the best and worst in us
appears right before our eyes
there’s a chain reaction
we can’t simply deny

resentment overwhelms
those who can’t be pleased
greed is overflowing
resources are squeezed
a situation deteriorates
panic is the now the norm
this crisis in our midst
has opened a can of worms

in an uncharted course
that’s where we are right now
uncertainty as a battleground
it doesn’t seem fair somehow
anxiety overtakes our will
to respond with common sense
I guess with our human nature
instinct is the best defense

falling like dominoes
we draw our own conclusions
choices are now influenced
by distracted assumptions
we unleash the beast in us
thinking it’s the right thing to do
just to realize later that
we bite off more than we can chew

RMP
March 13, 2020
Winnipeg MB Canada