The whisper
of leaves
used to wake the village
but this dawn
the forest is shaken
by the crack
of trigger
piercing
their muted screams
leaf
breaks
grasps the wind
as he
falls
to the earth’s
embrace
as blood
drenches soil
as wind
sings
a dirge
to Manobos
to Magbabaya
to memory
returning
to dreams
of flames
Tyrone Velez is a freelance writer, journalist and layout designer.