A Blog on Elected or to-be Elected Officials

It's election year in USofA. Rhetorical battle between the Presidential candidates has been heating up, while the outgoing president has been trying to do something to be remembered positively.

Yes, government officials come and go. Some walk their talk; others just talk and talk. Selfless over-performers receive peoples accolade; egoistic under-performers receive insult and ridicule.

I never will forget an elected governor in the early 60s in Mindanao, Philippines. I learned that he wasn't a good governor; however, he was (and will continue to be) remembered. It's not because of his accomplishments, but because of his "carabao" English that he used to impress people with.

So, here I am perpetuating his government service by etching his "carabao" English in a Kyoka.

Kyoka is a Japanese poetry form considered as a crazy poem. It makes fun of politicians or leaders, and of a certain event that took place. Syllable structure is similar to Tanka: 5,7,5,7,7

The Governor's "Carabao" English

"Good morning this noon.
I’m here running for office.
Voting is here soon
You should vote for me, at least,
Because I’m the very best.

If you’d vote for me,
I’d invite one and all
And cows would kill me
And I’d surely eat you all
…Before we raise the flagpole."

Men in Mindanao
Let’s think twice before we vote
A change we need now
Put to office those we thought
Who are worthy of your vote.

Don’t forget the past.
Men spoke English to impress
Let’s act real fast
Lest you want to hear them say,
‘Let’s sing the flag ceremony!’

Edmund Melig Industan (copyright, 2007)


This Kyoka reflects a terrible English of this under-performing official in Mindanao, Philippines, but it also might have happened (or still happening) in other parts of the world.

So, elected officials, please do your best and put your words into action; otherwise, you only would be remembered from generation to generation by your high faluting words and unsatisfactory performance.

Notes: 1) One of the poems included in my upcoming book, 101+1 Poems on THE EXPERIMENTAL DASANG and 45 OTHER POETRY FORMS: An Anthology.

2) Carabao is a Philippine English term for a water buffalo