Proportion

My friend's friend had a house fire and lived 
for almost a year in a trailer in their yard, 

until repairs were complete— Kas sadi 
langit, kasta met ditoy daga. A former 

colleague's elderly parents were bound 
and gagged then robbed and murdered. 

Another boat of refugees sinks into the sea 
after countries push them toward other 

ports— Sumalangit nawa. Even a fraction 
of these traumas, I wouldn't wish on anyone; 

nor give thanks it wasn't me or my own— 
Isalakannakami iti dakes. Though it's possible 

to investigate what choice someone made 
if any, luck or fortune have nothing to do 

with whether a child is born veiled in a caul 
or left in a box on the convent steps. Who 

will grow up sucking on stripped ends
of sugarcane, who will drink heated 

milk in porcelain teacups? The gods 
may be hungry, but we are hungry too.





[Kas sadi langit, kasta met ditoy daga - On earth 
as it is in heaven; Sumalangit nawa - rest in peace;
Isalakannakami iti dakes - keep us from harm ]