Forget Them Not
A Haibun
For more than a hundred years, I stood atop this unpolished granite which houses my remains. Dubbed as the Philippines’ national hero, I have been one of the most famous and photographed historical landmarks in the country. Go on, take a snap. Flash those wide smiles and share it with pride. But, please, remember. Remember that this bronze figure that I am now was once a man breathing the same air, basking under the same sun and staring at the same moonlit night. Remember what I lived and what I died for—our beloved Philippines. Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Three major islands united by blood. I didn’t fight for freedom so you could wage war against one another. I didn’t wield my pen so you could practice ignorance. I didn’t die for nothing. I breathed my last air with a hope for a breaking dawn after a long troubled night, a better future and an unwavering peace. Filipinos, I lived for you.
Winds of change passed by
Tainted ancient history—
Forget them not, please
© 2016 Maria. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Dennis Villegas
In response to dVerse’s Tuesday Poetics: Chisel me a conversation
Poet’s Pub today is hosted by Lillian with her heart-breaking piece. We are to to find a sculpture and write in the voice of that sculpture — become either the artist who created the piece or the subject of the sculpture. So here I am writing in the voice of our country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Interested? Join the band here!
DoodleScribbles 
June 16, 2016 at 12:31 pm
The importance of many statues is to remember – maybe if we remembered more there would be less wars to fight.
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June 16, 2016 at 1:52 pm
As we say for the fallen here. Lest we never forget.
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June 16, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Been going to Manila way back in the year 2013 but time didn’t permit to even have personally met Rizal Park. Hopefully on my next sojourn.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:19 am
Best of luck on your upcoming tris then ,👌
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June 16, 2016 at 5:25 pm
This is beautiful. So vey glad you posted! I love the idea that Dr. Rizal is speaking from the depths of death, bronzed atop his remains, and yet, from death, in the end he says, “I lived for you.”
I think your words here are applicable to so many statues that commemorate national heroes — I think for example, of our statues of Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, and there is a wonderful relief sculpture outside Boston Commons of an early Black Regiment. I think perhaps they fought so the future could be free — but I think these words “I didn’t fight for freedom so you could wage war against one another. I didn’t wield my pen so you could practice ignorance.” also apply here. Your voice is strong here – as was he. Your haibun ends with a gentle note — passionate and strong in its gentleness — if that makes sense to you.
This is so very well done. Thanks so much for participating. I hope you get the chance to read some of the other posts — for me, it has been truly remarkable to see the art (sculptures) and see the art come to life in the voices of our dVerse friends. It’s been a remarkable two days of reading and seeing.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:24 am
Thank you very much for your incisive comment, Lillian. I appreciate it. I did enjoy this particular prompt because our history has always been so close to my heart- just like most of us here. Truly it was remarkable to be reading others’ pieces and learning more about culture and art and people. For that, thank you! 😄👏
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June 16, 2016 at 6:44 pm
loved how you brought this to life and the haiku ending with the winds of change- too often we just visit and gaze at statues as though the stone belongs to art rather than life – I find it even more sickening seeing the selfies. You have made a monument into true meaning of memorial
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June 18, 2016 at 9:33 am
Thank you, Laura! Your comments reflect my thoughts. Most often I see people travel to heritage places, taking pictures at every angle. While this is not necessarily a heinous crime, I’ve always wondered at the back of my mind if they remember its story behind…
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June 18, 2016 at 4:22 pm
me too – some respect is due
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June 16, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Resuscitating life back into a historic figure. Your haibun speaks eloquently of his mission and life. A beautiful tribute, Maria.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:35 am
Thank you, Walt. This speaks for all monuments and the story they carry behind.
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June 16, 2016 at 9:04 pm
Splendid tribute Maria 😀
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June 18, 2016 at 9:38 am
Thanks a lot, Sanaa! 😘
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June 16, 2016 at 10:33 pm
So beautiful and poignant especially considering that often soldiers are young men whose lives were cut short.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:44 am
Truly… Yet, nowadays, only few people take the time and effort to remember the story and their lives. *sigh*
Thank you, Lori! 😊
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June 16, 2016 at 11:05 pm
“I lived for you.”…the line is so poignant, as if the voice knows that the causes for which one dedicates life might be forgotten…this is the story of this world…a great tribute in a beautiful haibun….
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June 18, 2016 at 9:50 am
Thank you, Sumana! I appreciate your words. Aye! This is the story of our world and for that- we must always remember. I chose that line because I think those heroes, more than sacrificing their lives, they fought to live. They fought to live with a better future. ☺️
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June 17, 2016 at 2:26 am
Lovely reminder of what we owe to past heroes.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:52 am
Thank you, Sarah! Yes, we owe our lives to them and we owe it to ourselves to remember. 😊
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June 17, 2016 at 5:31 am
This is struck me deeply as this is also my nativeland. I can only pray and hope the best for the Philippines and the people. Glad to meet you at the D’verse trail.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:55 am
Oh! I didn’t know you’re from the Philippines Grace. So glad to have met you here at dVerse too. ☺️ Yes, we can only pray and hope for our land.
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June 17, 2016 at 4:54 pm
the patriotism in this piece is just admirable, dearie! we should not forget about them.
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June 18, 2016 at 9:57 am
Thank you dear!! Indeed, we must always remember. 💕
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June 22, 2016 at 11:18 am
That is so true! ❤
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June 18, 2016 at 4:07 am
Just beautiful. I like the employment of a haibun to convey this. Well done.
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June 18, 2016 at 10:04 am
Thank you! I thought a haibun would fit the tribute well. 😊
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