The Mother of Democracy

—Corazon Aquino (1933-2009)

Call it inexperience. Call it

revolution. Hail, Mary,

full of grace…

Ninoy’s voice

flared between beads.

For her, no mansion

filled with gilded chairs.

No battalion of designer shoes.

She preferred one sampaguita

to a centerpiece of peonies and roses.

From tattered shirts and blankets

the people made banners

for peace, for Cory—

a sea of yellow fabric

rippling in their hands.