THE ARTISTRY AND ACTIVISM IN ME
when painter Marcel Duchamp died
that was the day I was born
when massacre of students in
Tlatelolco, Mexico happened
that was the day I was born
a painter died, a future poet
was conceived from her mother's womb
student protesting was massacred
a future student and activist
was conceived from her mother's womb
in my blood is the shaper of words in Filipino
who's father is a Batangueno
who's mother is a Karay-a from Antique
inculcated in me words that is deep
even if I was raised as a Manilenyo
also in my blood are activists Spartans
who fight for equality, justice and truth
Duchamp and the Tlatelolco students
have died the day I was born
their memory and legacy will be
in my blood, brain, heart and bone
I will continue the artist in me
I will continue the activist in me
Actually, I don't usually believe
in what they call reincarnation
I just thought that the date of their
death is the same as my birth
I was born probably to become artist of words,
as a poet, and as an Spartan activist
and that I will continue to be
to serve the people and the working class
to be one in changing the rotten system
to make a heart in a heartless world
- gregoriovbituinjr.
12.01.2024
* written while contemplating in a hospital with my wife who is still recuperating
