Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow…

By Apolinario Villalobos

Yesterday…

Birds glided on the immaculately clean air

Trees swayed to the wind’s gentle blow

That also teased undulating grass blades,

Rivers flowed with gay abandon

Drenching boulders on their way

While fishes, swam joyfully.

Sun-drenched grains waited to be reaped

Fruits, sweet and ripe, tempted children

Who played tag, giggled and squealed,

While fathers and mothers gazed

With contentment at the distance

Giving each other, a loving glance.

Today…

The air is silent, void of avian chirps and calls

Trees stand devoid of swaying leaves

And scorched grasses limp with lifelessness,

Rivers fight for life, gagged with waste

Boulders crack with ugliness, and dry

While fishes, weakly drift by.

Once proud stems heavy with golden grains

Cringe to the cruel nature’s heavy blow

Just like the branches without sweet fruits,

Children once bubbly, are not anymore

Instead, cry to hide the pang of hunger -

Oh, such wasted lives, so tender!

Tomorrow…

Will the world be still alive?

-with the air heavy with toxin

-with rivers curdling with waste

-and, with self-destructing human race?

Will the world be still alive…with God’s grace?