Under lilies’ round leaves
He hides
From bullets racing,
Left and right.
His pistol
Firm in his fist. The fiendish
Water stifles his breath.
The sun slowly ascends
Despite a spoilt slumber.
He rises
From the refuge
Of the river,
Witnessing fallen,
Armored comrades.
A revengeful morning!
In the mosque, he shoots
Presumed foes. Four
Defenseless carcasses
Floating
In their blood.
The water
Lilies in the river
Unmoving, but living.
Nassefh Macla is a Kaagan-Moro from Panabo City, Davao del Norte. He is a Creative Writing graduate from University of the Philippines Mindanao. This is in commemoration of the January 25, 2015 Mamasapano incident.