(Mount Pinatubo and the Aetas)

the mountain god that has slept
for so long
has decided, it is time to rise
and as it opened its eyes
and stretched its invisible limbs
it unlocked a deep fury of destruction
kept inside for years and years
of restraint
not wanting to disturb the people
lying at its feet
worshipers and true believers they are
the few good people left
in this wretched earth
and yet the mountain god
would not keep them safe from
enormous grief and physical pain
they too must suffer
but they are flexible children
they never really complain

ashes flying while lava flows
one by one properties and creatures
were struck down like pins in a bowling alley
it was so fast and so vast
they never really knew what hit them
until it was all over

there are only shadows now
plus sporadic eruptions
the mountain god had made its
presence felt
and as it resumes its former
pose of quiet repose
i see the little black people
huddling together
and coming around
back to sleep at the feet of
the mountain god
as of the start

they said
this is where they were born
and whatever may happen
this is where they will die

so as they reach their
prized destination
i hear a song coming
from their lips
they are dwarfs in stature
but giants in character
i reached out to touch
my little black brothers
with pride
for i love them true.......