The Festival

Rouges and police officers,
Prostitutes and priests,
Mice and stray cats…friends for a day

Knives and weapons,
Potty-mouths and hisses,
Bickering and insults…silent for a day

Market and gambling nooks,
Sidewalks and boulevard,
Night clubs and red houses…temples for a day

Pauses and gasps,
Panting and sobs
Laughter and shouting matches…prayer for a day

Quiapo with her children gathered from all over,
Believers and skeptics,
Healers and frauds
…family for a day