Let the Children Cry Out

Let the children cry out

I stepped upon this land and walked among the kind and friendly people for fifty years and three,
I wondered what my purpose was and what good I could do and be.
There the many poor, in slums and on the streets begging for a morsel, suffering hunger and the wrong,
So few now hold the power and wealth and wonder if it will ever change and why it takes so long.
The elites secured by family bonds have captured politics and stole the land,
They work together to be sure the poor cannot unite to change the system and make a powerful stand.
They blind the people with dazzling shows, fake news, convincing words to cover up their crimes and shame,
They promise all will change but we know it will still remain same.

The laws they make grow their wealth and hold their power for sure,
The poor are much poorer; survive in stubborn resignation, injustice they endure.
Not all accept surrender; lose their dignity and their right,
They struggle for their freedom, in many ways resist and fight.
They work so justice will shine upon the poor, save the wretched of the earth,
They live and die for equality to be born, and see a day of birth.

I sought a way to join the fight for social change and justice for the poor
I was almost arrested with Father Joe and a prison cell endures.
I escaped and helped the youth in jail and on the street.
To set them free, escape the Marcos death squad, the torture to hands and feet.

From the youth home overlooking Subic Bay I viewed the mighty fleets come every night and day.
There was official approval and no opponent had a say.
Upon the city streets a hundred brothels catered to the Sailors needs,
children and the women were sold as slaves for dollars, pesos to quench the owners greeds.
In the holy church, the pius prayed to God for heaven they ignored the injustice and the pain,
while the children and poor women cried for relief in vain.

The sexual exploitation of the children I exposed to the light of day,
behold a mighty angry force came thundering straight my way.
I thought I was doing what was right, saving kids like we should,
They said that I was wrong, prayers and silence was the only good.

So to the court I was quickly sent and before the world condemned for the truth to tell,
that nine-year olds were sold for sex, I would be punished and deported next.
Yet I fought my case and had the chance to tell the world the evil I had seen,
cruel violations if ever there had been.
It was entrenched, approved, permitted and allowed,
I won my case but was banished by all to live beneath a cloud.

They said the Preda children’s home must be closed, the youth therein be locked in jail.
I said that the Navy Base be shut and all convert to economic use instead,
let the sex industry collapse and fail.

For ten long years with a truly faithful team I campaigned to see the dream come true,
What hopes we had were for the nation to renew.
Then the Senate heard the voices and the cry that reached the ocean and the sky.
They decided for true freedom, they passed the winning vote.
History changed and our dream came true and the US Navy left with everything afloat.

But it was too late the damage to the family is near beyond repair,
The evil poisoned people and replaced values with child abuse and most people just don’t care.
The church is so silent as if Jesus never spoke and made children the center of the Kingdom and a new era of justice, rights and dignity awoke.
So society has forsaken the children suffering with abuse,
they think to oppose, react is hopeless and no use.
The faithful band at Preda protest the wrong and save the children trafficked and abused, they heal and empower and give them life anew,
We fight for justice, wake the world to protect the children, it is so right and true.

Fr. Shay Cullen