Urban Jungle

The poem "Urban Jungle" is dedicated to everyone who have experienced the nightmares of living in the city--- of fighting to overcome the difficult challenges encountered, to stay above the chaos, and keep a sane mind while driving oneself hard just to survive each single day. It is for people who push themselves to the limit amidst the traffic, pollution, crime, inflation, etc. simply because they have to--- for their families and for themselves. Some are able to rise to a greater stature, but many others remain in the urban struggle--- their bitter tears blending with the suffocating raindrops from the angry clouds, falling into a pool of mud that resembles a quicksand. I'm just another faceless person in the throng. Who do we call for help? Most of the time, there is no one to rely on but ourselves. Prayer is my solace and love is my best friend. What about you and what about the others? We may often seek ways to change our plight, but there is no guarantee. There may or may not be an easy way out. But along the way, we will face a lot of uncertainty. What will you choose? Where will you go? Just something to ponder on...

URBAN JUNGLE
(Jan. 24, 2008- by Olive Estrella)

He closes his eyes just for a moment…
As the sun’s rays furiously glowered,
Baring ghastly shadows bent;
Sanities lost and bodies spent.

Rising up, a cloud of dust
Covering us; who can we trust?
A grip of fear envelops the weak.
It destroys them even as they speak.

Cars entangled in a fusion of noises,
Specks of dirt and piles of garbage,
A divergence of despairing voices
Cannot escape from the war they wage.

Suddenly crammed into a train,
Heated bodies increase the pain.
A throbbing ache persists in his head
As hopes of change begin to wane.

Roaring spirits in a chaotic jungle
Filled with obscure, hungry beasts…
Weary souls caught in an ugly tangle,
The naïve and fragile devoured in the wild’s feasts.

When will this vicious cycle end?
Each on his own; he lives to defend
What he treasures and strives…
Though he who sweats vicariously thrives.

He rests his mind just for a moment,
His twisted soul yearning to vent
As dreadful vultures await his death
And peril lies ahead in a timeless breadth.

From this unsightly chaos nobody’s spared;
And no one is certain who even cared.
It’s simply a question of who’s fit to handle
This fight for survival in an urban jungle.