One day
the apolitical
intellectuals
of my country
will be interrogated
by the simplest
of our people.
the apolitical
intellectuals
of my country
will be interrogated
by the simplest
of our people.
They will be asked
what they did
when their nation died out
slowly,
like a sweet fire
small and alone.
what they did
when their nation died out
slowly,
like a sweet fire
small and alone.
No one will ask them
about their dress,
their long siestas
after lunch,
no one will want to know
about their sterile combats
with "the idea
of the nothing"
no one will care about
their higher financial learning.
about their dress,
their long siestas
after lunch,
no one will want to know
about their sterile combats
with "the idea
of the nothing"
no one will care about
their higher financial learning.
They won't be questioned
on Greek mythology,
or regarding their self-disgust
when someone within them
begins to die
the coward's death.
on Greek mythology,
or regarding their self-disgust
when someone within them
begins to die
the coward's death.
They'll be asked nothing
about their absurd
justifications,
born in the shadow
of the total lie.
about their absurd
justifications,
born in the shadow
of the total lie.
On that day
the simple men will come.
the simple men will come.
Those who had no place
in the books and poems
of the apolitical intellectuals,
but daily delivered
their bread and milk,
their tortillas and eggs,
those who drove their cars,
who cared for their dogs and gardens
and worked for them,
and they'll ask:
in the books and poems
of the apolitical intellectuals,
but daily delivered
their bread and milk,
their tortillas and eggs,
those who drove their cars,
who cared for their dogs and gardens
and worked for them,
and they'll ask:
"What did you do when the poor
suffered, when tenderness
and life
burned out of them?"
suffered, when tenderness
and life
burned out of them?"
Apolitical intellectuals
of my sweet country,
you will not be able to answer.
of my sweet country,
you will not be able to answer.
A vulture of silence
will eat your gut.
will eat your gut.
Your own misery
will pick at your soul.
will pick at your soul.
And you will be mute in your shame.
--Otto Rene Castillo
This was written by Otto Rene Castillo in the mid 60's.
He was a revolutionary. He was poet. He was a man. He was a Marxist.
He intended this for all the apolitical people. The so called cowards. This is a personal pang for me, for I am one of those cowards. For I am indecisive in my stands. I'm a liberal u see, I believe in human rights, I believe in justice, I believe in equality. I make myself sound like a great humanitarian. But really, these are the things I believe in. And not one of my country's party hold them upright. To talk about the government and opposition is another thing, main topic for today is being apolitical.
Apolitical is when a person takes no interest in politics. They are the ones in a party, sitting in corner not joining the mass as they r either to shy or to afraid on the outcomes. But, not all are alike. One Nina said something to me that made me realize how stupid it is to proclaim oneself apolitical.
'One day, U have to chose a side. And choice are what we called democracy. Without it, there would be no democracy".
How true can that be. But yes, to pick a side is quite difficult isn't it. To pick a side is another thing, to respect the latter is as difficult. The useless of the useless is those who proclaim to proclaim themselves as apolitical intellectuals. Creates a controversy aint it? To produce such statement. However, it is quite vexing for one to choose their believes. Especially one was given such statement as "To choose from a lesser evil". Well, that is pretty much adding salt to the situation. Not only u are indecisive on who to choose, but both parties seems to be incapable of running a country. Their sentiments are downright bizare, downright outrages and they treat us like morons! How insulting.
So, how can Castillo justify such situation?
