I came home smelling jasmine in the house and noticed a garland of sampaguita (white jasmine) that my mother bought from the Filipino Grocery store. It brought back memories of the Philippines, but it also reminded me of the street children selling them.
I would buy a garland for them whenever I went home from college (if I had the change) back then. The worst part is when I'd see them walking the streets still trying to sell them at 3 in the morning to drunkards (like me) making their way home.
Enjoy this little reflection.
*picture is originally from http://p0ks.deviantart.com/art/sampaguita-girl-181618845
Sampaguita Go Home
she sells white-petal innocence
on the street,
a garland of jasmine
made from tears,
and blood-tired fingers.
in fright
of
the man who drinks it a-way,
& beats her in the night.
But
WE choose what WE see
the dirty face.
torn clothes too big,
the stink of the city,
black
stains,
street
child,
not
our problem.
--blame your parents.
not us
not
us
after
all.
WE’ve done our share- giving money
to church
attending
church.
WE’re good people.
WE’re not interested.
she
walks the streets all night
too
scared to go home
her white-petal innocence not all
sold.
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