This Is What a Broken Country Feels Like
In a world that often celebrates progress and miracles, Cirilo Bautista’s poem Third World Geography offers a haunting contrast. The poem serves as a powerful commentary on the struggles of Third World nations especially the Philippines. It forces us to confront the weight of history, the burden of failed leadership, and the cries of a people long denied justice. In this blog post, I reflect on Bautista’s poetic vision, connecting it to the realities we live in today. Bautista’s poem powerfully highlights deep rooted issues such as poverty, corruption, inequality, and failed leadership. The line “a country without miracles” immediately conveys a sense of hopelessness and broken dreams. Through striking images like “banana trees rotting in the sunlight” and “useless words” heard only by the wind, Bautista exposes the painful irony of a nation rich in natural resources yet burdened by mismanagement and injustice. The poem paints a clear pict...
