Sampaguita
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte,
and when he is made, ye make him twofold
more the child of hell than yourselves."
Matthew 23:15
It was during one of his yearly trips back home
An old friend took him to dinner with ten more
In a fancy place; the check could feed a stadium
A hyperbole? Not in a city with millions poor...
As they left the restaurant, two girls approached
Offering their sampaguita leis, a pittance apiece
They’re no more than seven, seemingly uncoached
Pleading with their tiny voices “oh sir please”!
Both looked grimy, unfed, matted hair, no shoes
He was touched; they pulled at his heartstrings
So, he emptied his pockets of hundred-peso notes,
Twenties, tens and change; he bought everything
He took a few leis; and gave them to his friends
The rest he let the waifs keep; so they can resell
He felt good about himself, despite the expense
He’s done a good deed; the day ended well
But another girl approached as he gets to the car
Ran from across the street with more leis to sell
She cried “Sir! Buy from me too, please sir”
Cried plaintively; she’s hungry, he could tell!
He hesitated; he knew what he has for sure
All he got, a thick wad of crisp five hundreds...
But he looked at her; told her he has no more
He got on the car; feeling guilty? He wondered...
All the way to his hotel he was quiet and pensive
How much is five hundred pesos worth really?
Eleven dollars and change! And he can’t believe
He denied it from someone who needs it dearly!
The sad face of the girl, in his consciousness,
Now indelibly stamped; constantly reminding him
He has much to learn about charity and kindness,
He’s but a Pharisee mindlessly reciting a hymn...
01-23-2023
© Vic Evora
Jasminum sambac commonly known as Sampaguita was declared as the national flower by Governor-General Frank Murphy in 1934. Its white flower is believed to symbolize purity, fidelity, and hope.
I wrote this poem eight years ago and been embarrassed to post it. I am finally posting it.
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