DEAR JESSE

   

 

        
                "DEAR JESSE"

(A Tribute to a Great Bicolano)

Baby face why did you leave so  fast?

Against our wish, our flags, half mast

On August 18, 2012 time grinded to a halt

On a cloudless day we were wrenched apart.

                             

Like a weary eagle on a flight to her nest

You were on your way home, seeking rest

Beloved wife and daughters, rare gems in mind

Oh, what solace, what comfort, in their embrace you'd find.

Naga, "ang maogmang lugar," the cheerful place

Is stricken with grief, flooded in tears

Oh, the beacon of hope, our one big pride

Has laid down the torch and crossed the great divide.

Like a candle whose light is snuffed out

Like a pilgrim without direction

Like a cub, maimed and abandoned

We lost a pillar of hope,  what desperation!

The Son of man, once bloodied, lifeless on a tree

Took the hand of a man  whose plane plunged to the sea

Sparing him from undeserved agony

Jesus, our Lord, quickly embraced our dear Jesse.

No pain, no pain that was the way he went

Even as thousands, no, millions wept and wept

Toward the glorious light, he took a new flight

Yonder the rainbow where there's no night.

Oh, weep not Bicolandia! Weep not Philippines!

Jesse is in a place where pure joy reigns

Cheer up, advocates of Matuwid na Daan

His mission's well-done, while ours has just begun.

Dear Jesse, you left a vacuum hard to fill

We have one less leader, with political will

One less friend, one less brother

One less mentor, one less father.

One less brilliant mind, one less able hand

One less smile, one less shoulder

One less neighbor, one less adviser

One less son, and one less lover.

We will remember you with childlike fondness

Charming mayor in baggy shorts and slippers

Unmindful of rain, in chitchat with street sweepers

Raking mud, throwing trash, away from a cam's glare.

In life you gave and gave and gave

Not money but time, wisdom, talent and faith

Lives are empowered, against odds, now brave

Your kind deeds and example, in our hearts, enclaved.

 Funny, I never knew you on a personal level

Not even a handshake nor a photo op to wiggle

But tis' true,  tis' true, "proximity is not intimacy"

As I connected with you in ideals, passion and philosophy.

Praise God for rare public servants like you

Who gave and gives flesh to the Lord's words, oh true.

"Whatever you do to the least of your brothers,

You do it for me."

Compassion at work, not empty words -- T'was you, Jesse.

Dear Jesse, as you smile from a fluffy cloud

We express our longing, shamelessly aloud

A flurry of kisses we blow softly, heaven bound

A lullaby, a whisper of love, for you to hound.

As we look forward to the great banquet up there

Where the groom awaits the bride, heart so eager

Wait still, dear friend, time is nigh, yes, so near

When we shall see face to face amidst the angels' cheers.