OUR PRIDE

Translated by Juliet B. Samonte

We are humble among the humble

But to the tyrant we bow not

Brothers we are all

Equal are the city folks and the country folks.

This thought is not arrogance

That led people to failure

If they want to shine like the sun we will be

dark like the night

But tyranny we tolerate not.

Love and freedom are our pathways

Our guide in our aspirations

Without hesitation our name we reveal

To those who wish our name to know.

If the good bow their heads

And the bad hold their heads high

No difference will it make to the humble

For what we are no shame we feel.

We seek not fortune nor fame

Our country’s welfare is our only desire

Why can’t we all unite as one

When we all have the same goals and rights?

We have faith in our ideals

Misfortune and poverty our enemies

More formidable than the mountain

Though like a little plant

defeated we’ll never be.

 ECHOES FROM FARM

They say it is in town

that many joys are to be found

that it is there

where good things abound.

Nothing is wanting, they say,

nothing is unobtainable

whatever man may

in town desire.

But surely there

no bird songs are heard.

no mayas are scattered

in the fields of ripening grain.

And sometimes night finds them

still companionably eating

in the hills, in the plains,

and in the rice fields.

Of our poverty

I don’t complain,

for life in town

I have no envy.

For here shines as well

the sun and the moon

and here the gentle breeze

is balm for weariness.