Estero

Estero

Dr Abe V Rotor

Estero* of Pasig River, Metro Manila.  

Photo by the author, circa 1990 

It can't be true

That a fisherman lives here.

It can't be true

That a child plays here.

It can't be true

That a soul remains

Behind the flimsy walls.

A baby cries;

A moan rises

From the murk and mist.

Silent steps

Tarry on the bridge.

* Estero is a part of the freshwater ecosystem linking Pasig River 

with other rivers and Manila Bay.

- AV Rotor, Light in the Woods 1995, Megabooks