The artistry and activism in me

THE ARTISTRY AND ACTIVISM IN ME

when painter Marcel Duchamp died

that was the day I was born

when massacre of students in

Tlatelolco, Mexico happened

that was the day I was born

a painter died, a future poet 

was conceived from her mother's womb

protesting students were massacred

a future student and activist

was conceived from her mother's womb

in my blood is the shaper of words in Filipino

who's father is a Batangueno

who's mother is a Karay-a from Antique

who inculcated in me words that is deep

even if I was raised as a Manilenyo

also in my blood were Spartan activists

who fight for equality, justice and truth

Duchamp and the Tlatelolco students

have died the day I was born

their memory and legacy will be

in my blood, brain, heart and bone

I will continue the artist in me

I will continue the activist in me

I don't usually believe

in what they call reincarnation

I just thought that the date of their 

death is the same as my birth

I was born probably to become artist of words,

as a poet, and as an Spartan activist

and that I will continue to be

to serve the people and the working class

to be one in changing the rotten system

to make a heart in a heartless world

- gregoriovbituinjr.

12.01.2024

* written while contemplating in a hospital with my wife who is still recuperating