Kareen Liez E. Datoy

FEEL MARCELO

the sun touched the leaves outside
as the day bid goodbye to the night
the birds chirped with the blue tide
but he never saw how good was the light.
the rats crept through the dark holes
ants crawled where there is gold
but he never saw them coming
he was weak and quite old.
slowly….painfully…he stood

crick…crack…his bones uttered
   “Ough!”, he then muttered.
his shaky hands and rickety feet tried
his mind whispered, “Marcelo, don't ever get tired!”
…..and he never gets tired
   he never ceased
     he never whined. his palms laid on his bed
his feet flat on the dusty floor
his buttocks cradled on the soft mattress
his back curved behind his grey shirt
and he tried…
   …and tried

…and tried
and he slowly rose to his feet
his shaky hands gathered the weight on its fists
he pushed up…
stretched his arms and moved it sidewards…
   upwards…downwards…
     forward…backward…
   searching for his wooden cane.
and he found it.
gripped it hard.
pushed it to the floor.
he stood up.
one hand on the cane
another on the wall.
he started walking…pacing towards the door.
he wanted to feel how good the light is.
he wished he could smell the sweetness of the morning breeze.
he prayed he could fell the caress of warm air.
he wanted to hear the pretty birds sing.
he wished he could fell the rough brownness under his feet.
he wished he knew where the narra tree conceals heat.
he longed for nature's genuine love and tenderness.
      but he needs to struggle.
     he needs to fight.
      so he can feel the light.

for his
days are counted
his stories untold
his mind is baffled
his skin is old.
inch by inch he tried to move.
Every step is a struggle.
Every pace is painful.
But he needs to find the door…
stretched his arms and moved it sidewards…
     upwards…downwards…
          forward…backward…
     searching for his wooden door.
And he found it.
He grasped the knob and turned it open
He slowly walked and felt it was heaven…
…the morning breeze caressed his entirety
…the sun warmed his cold damp skin
…the birds sang with all sincerity
…he felt the soil…it was akin…
…he felt it is where he belong
…it is his home…then he'll never be alone
But he couldn't return to dust
He wants to live and feel wind's gust
For it is the only thing he knew..
..feel
      …feel
          …feel
It is the only thing he could do
His mouth is zipped
His speaks a few
He speaks things he didn't knew
Things he didn't saw
Things he only felt
For his life is enveloped with darkness
His life is wrapped with gloom

Marcelo knew he couldn't see the light
But still he is filled with grand delight
Knowing that he could feel the light..
For it is the only thing he knew..
…feel
      …feel
          …feel
For in the darkness,
He could feel.

Kareen Liez E. Datoy is a graduate of Bachelor in Science of Civil Engineering at Eastern Visayas State University but is inclined to writing. She was Editor-Chief of their university paper and of a regional publication in Leyte, Philippines.Other than being a leader and a youth advocate, she continues her passion in writing.