Inang Bayan (English 'Mother Country') Poem by Marites C. Cayetano

Oh, mother country
it's no longer
a short time
since you become
a free nation.

Oh, mother country
truly, you are free
but why
did you let yourself
be imprisoned
by poverty?

Was it your choice?

Oh, mother country
when will you be able
to take good care
of your abandoned children
who wish
for three times a day meal,
for shelter,
and for affordable medication
and education.

Oh, mother country,
Oh, mother country.