Notice

Article by Althea Velarde

Listen closely, do you hear them?

Do you hear the wails and the cries of the people?

Do you hear the crushed hearts of the families who witnessed their loved ones die in their arms?

Do you hear the agonizing screams of those drowned from the strong waves of the flood?

Do you hear the chilling wails of the mothers holding the bloody lifeless bodies of their children or husbands?

Do you hear the roaring voices of the people in rallies? Their chants? Their stomps?

Listen, why don’t you listen to me? Why don’t you listen to us?

Are you too distracted by the clinks of wine glasses at the events you go to?

Do the laughs of those around you tune out the cries of your people?

It must be nice to hear your gold, jewelries and cash register machines opening

Others would be in the more unfortunate state–gunshots, door slams and the scream of help are what they hear

Your pockets must be heavy from all of the money you have

You must have cut the pockets of the ones who rightfully own them for yours to be that full

Is your seat that comfortable for you to get up?

The others sit on their chairs for hours in a day just to put a bit of food on the table

It must be nice for your faces to be on the media

Others would have their last breath to be their first shot on TV

Listen…

Don’t you hear? Don’t you hear the once faint knocks on your door have now grown louder?

Stronger? Fiercer?

Look…

Look outside of your comfortable walls, and look how now you are faced with the consequences of your actions

Feel…

Feel the wrath of the people you failed and are failing to save, feel the shame of your hidden schemes come to light

Remember, everyone has their time

The tables will also turn, my friend

Savor every day, hour and second you have

For one day, all of the sweetness you attain will be bitter

The way that your people have put you in the place you are right now

Will be the same reason you would fall

There is still time for you to make better choices

Act now, or you will be met by an agonizing fate