the well of goodness
let the Tau Alphans
gather around the well
the well of goodness
like many moons ago they had
having shared their beliefs
their biases their love
for the past nine decades
more so in recent months
having stood many times over
before the forks in the road
at times lost in moments of passion
trying to hold resolutely steadfastly
onto the fountainhead of fellowship
the truth our Golden Fleece
let the brotherhood reach deep into that well of goodness
the Argo had carried Tau Alpha Fraternity
across the tumultuous seas
had sailed many times to Elysian Fields
had sailed through myriads of trials
through the gauntlets of life...
faced the challenges that stirred
our core values straight in the eye
emerged triumphant as always steadfast the Tau Alphan Way
with the same passion giving back to the communities the resources they need
a camaraderie deep-seated
in the Philippines corner store tambayan tradition
taking in from the goodness and kindness
of neighbors and friends... from their hearts
from their stories the laughters from their souls
let Tau Alpha share the belonging the attachment
embrace the virtues inherent... always
centered in our forbearance
grounded in our uprightness
the goodwill at all times grand
all in the keep ever intact
raise the glasses for a heartfelt toast
as had been done many times over
for generations
continually with the same exuberance
and verb
for the next hundred years beyond time
here in our God’s little acre planet earth
and in the firmament our Elysian Fields
reaching deep into the well at all times for our truth... the love for each other
our Golden Fleece the Tau Alphan spirit
of the Tambayan tradition
Tagay! Cheers! Pass the glass dipped from the well of goodness in Manila Diliman Los Baños!
***
(c)NDR07.13.2022
Photo: Online University of the Philippines Diliman Campus Tau Alpha Corner Tambayan