poverty.
extreme, abject poverty.
continuous, thriving, all consuming poverty.
what is poverty? in manila you see it everywhere.
so many people are homeless, sleeping in the parks, on the sidewalks, in the gutters.
everywhere.
nationwide this poverty is a result of corruption, local dishonesty and foreign greed.
it is a product- a continuous cycle- of poverty, illness, desperation and hunger.
to look at it will break your heart.
so you don't.
don't look out the window.
don't make eye contact.
don't look at the streets.
don't look at the buildings.
don't look at yourself because you will disgust yourself.
sometimes hearts need breaking.
but still you harden it as much as you can while trying to retain your humanity.
you harden it to maintain your sanity.
you give a little here and there. to give to everyone will put you in a tough position financially. they're everywhere, it breaks your heart.
again.
you smile at the kids, the dirty little street urchins, praying that they don't ask you for money cause to them you are rich but today you too are hungry. you can't afford to feed yourself so your belly rumbles with theirs.
3 comments:
hey ! serenne.... this is the most randomest thing and i apologize for this comment having nothing to do with your blog post. BUT i just sent you an email and it bounced back so i guess you must have changed yours? anyway... need to ask you something! can you send me an email? leah(at)leahtan(dot)com
thanks!
leah
yeah . . . I became very skilled at just putting it far enough away from myself to maintain sanity. And then when that doesn't work . . .
you move on to the next impoverished country.
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