Salvaged

To feel safe

Riding in the subway

yet hold the truth

That anyone can

Push you down onto

The tracks

In an unguarded

Waiting moment

To call after God,

Or whatever name

I know it by

And also urge

For accountability

For the harm

Its Body has inflicted

On to Chanie Wenjack

The system taught me

That I can only be

Either an addict

Or a good son

It's strange, then

When an addict

Can't get away from the pipe

That he is ripe

Or condemned

To be salvaged by 16th

During his regime

Of terror

Of war

Of chaos

Of my aunties

Condemning, on a Thu, the choices

Made by the poor,

Limited as they are

Then tearfully singing

Amazing Grace

How great thou art

The following Sun

I wonder, then

How would I have faired

Had I lived in the Philippines

During 16th's regime?

Would I still be alive today

On my re(dis)covery journey

Gainfully employed

As a Treaty person

With the ability to

Send remittances back home

And offer peace of mind

For my own family

Siya taga salo

"They catch"

But, who catches the catcher?

With compassion

Sweet kisses

Soft hugs

Tender words

He catches himself

For, it has always been him

Even when he forgot

That he has always been capable

Na salo-en sarili nya

"He can catch himself"

Himself is a tapestry

Of all the people

He's met

And works, chats

Hangs out and laughs

With

Shares a space

With folks who say, "here,

Jose, come sit with me"

Or, would 16th

Have already salvaged me?

By: Jose Cacho