Wood And Words Poem by Richmon Rey Jundis

Whenever I stand behind the wood,
My soul finds it difficult to utter words
That can tell the whole of its grief.
The heaviness of my heart still finds nothing,
No word still exist that can articulate what's going on inside.
Maybe there is, but courage has left my side.

Whenever I stand behind the wood
Something inside me is starting to grow bitter,
And that bitterness makes my flesh whither,
When it hears other souls
Seeking for other's death of colors and identity contours.

Whenever I stand behind the wood
I find my hands clutching the flat of the Ambo,
Trying to hide how it shakes and quiver,
For I hear not the words I speak,
But the thoughts of how the tongues of those who hate me slither and
Will speak about what this innocent and defenseless child in me has spoken.

The wooden Ambo where I let my soul speak
Becomes the modern panopticon,
But, the choice to act like God, who alone can judge,
Is upon the hearts of those who speak and hear.
I want to disagree to Nietzsche's idea of slave-morality,
Who always say no to the others,
The re-valuation of the true strength of the nobles,
By labeling what is outside the self as evil,
But it seems to be so hard for now,
For they refuse to accept the truth of others,
They speak and judge like they truly know
What others have endured and struggled.

The wooden Ambo where everyone can speak,
Is a pedestal where one can show
There true weaknesses and strengths,
Goodness and evilness,
Tell their own stories
That can either inspire or deteriorate other souls.
Anyone can speak any words behind that wooden Ambo,
But let your words be judge of your heart's desire.

For now, though it is not the totality of what I can say,
For I still have not found
Any words that can articulate this pain and anguish of my lamenting soul,
'Please, open your hearts to the truth of others.'
'Please, don't make us your reference of what you think is evil.'
Please, allow your mouth to speak of what is good to others.'

This is just a humble request
Of this man of sins and weaknesses.
If you may,
Please don't hurt others.

I want to shout the words of truth
Whenever I stand behind the wood,
But I can't.
But why?
Let your fears tell you, too,
When you're the one start telling your words of truth
Behind that wooden Ambo.