(In memory of a departed comrade)

no more will i pay you a visit
on your last moments of heroic struggle
against the world of grief
i know now or tomorrow
or on a day in this rainy month of july
you’ll suddenly leave
the defiant bloody struggle
you’ve embraced against
the exploitative ruling class
no more will i pay you a visit
though i still wish to see
your stares full of sacred aspirations
those two emerald eyes
glittering with flaming
and undying love of country
those lips always expressing
the rebellious sentiments of an oppressed race.

no more will i pay you a visit
now that your breath is being sucked up
by the tender wind kissing your haggard face
a face full of determination
to carry-on the struggle
for the freedom and glory
of the masses and beloved land
which you so fervently desired
during so many nights of vigil
for sure, i know,
you’ll not shed a tear on your impending death
but you’ll consider it your great honor
that you’ve poured your sweat and blood
on the yellowish grass
and the land made barren
by the forces of darkness
of abusive power and injustices
i know the tender or whirling wind
will always be humming
the lyrics and melodies of your legendary life
so gladly dedicated to your beloved land.

no more will i pay you a visit
now that the fireflies are gone
now that the rolling clouds
are embracing the breast of darkness
enough for me to be with you
in our intertwining memories
enough for me to be with you
in crimson gumamela flowers
in crawling cadena de amor vines
on hills and mountain slopes of hope
and in crying amarillos
jumbled cogon and wild grass
along the savannah of love
though your body will soon be buried
in a waiting lonely grave
unmarked even by a wooden cross
nameless and no epitaph on gravestone
our eyes would still meet
our blood would still mix
our veins would still be conjoined
in every heart of the dispossessed
in every tear and sob of the enslaved
whether in cities or fields of grief.

our rumbling voices still would sing
the fragrant lyrics of freedom
for our incarcerated and suffering
beloved la tierra pobreza!