A Call From Jolo Poem by RIC BASTASA

the general calls from jolo
he keeps the war at ease like a soldier at rest
there is no exact information
about how many bodies are dumped
into the raging sea
or the ever silent mountain

you see wars are fought like emotions
you keep it inside yourself
the face must not show the struggle
the mouth does not speak
about casualties
the dead are buried on the night
and the missing soldiers are like names canceled on the list
the widows weep and their children look at
their memories but soon the sorrows pass
like a storm
and then it is calm again

children swim in the sea
the fishermen ride on their boats and cast their nets

tonight the general has briefed his men
there is an emergency
and the killing must, as a necessity, begin again