THE AGE OF ANXIETY

By Rado Gatchalian

There’s a death waiting on a solitary bed,
Behold, the next day is afraid of every breath.
Will we contain our misery in this unusual night
Or sleep without consuming any dream?
We become crippled, jobless, and sick —
The only faith is to live and give and live.
We look at the sky, we see an empty feeling,
Yet at this age of darkness, stars give us peace.
How shall we wait when death is waiting as well?
We say a little prayer — and — we wait for answers.
The crown intoxicates everything, everywhere,
It weakens our body — and — everyone is silent.
Like a violet moon hiding from her own fear —
A child becomes old; the old, a helpless child.
One day when all of these are done and gone:
It will be a story for our daughters and sons.
When all our untold dreams become myth
(Time, time is our only safekeeping).
Be afraid but never surrender
Be at peace but continue to love others.
Soon: when this suffering ends
A new, refreshed, life begins.

Source: The Philippine Community Herald Newspaper
April 30, 2020