By Al Robles
Reprinted with permission of the poet
Ode to Bill Sorro
bill sorro
cried today
he cried
for his countryman
for a manong
from the philippines
who died
on his lap
in the children’s playground
at portsmouth square
bill sorro
cried today
in his small room
at the international hotel
because
manong santos died
and jullana sat there
listening
to a voice
cut sharp
like a bolo
when he read his poem
to santos
who never had
a chance
to see his country again
bill sorro
cried for santos of the international hotel
santos of the st. paul hotel
santos of kearny street
santos of manilatown
santos his kababayan
santos of his brown hands
digging for his roots.
