Joem Antonio 

ecce homo

What blood pumps

the grieving man’s heart

and what bones steel

the broken man’s frame;

What sinews stitch together

the wounded man’s shoulders

and what skin leathers

the tired man’s feet

and bear up the hill

That tree meant for humanity?

What lungs gives him air to say

to follow him for he is The Way?

For not jellied eyes nor gnashing teeth

nor the roaring jeers

of a world-wise crowd

Can comprehend the pull

of Love’s own gravity

against the magnetism of the earth.

 Joem Antonio is a Filipino playwright for young adults, children's story writer, writing teacher, and professor in the University of Asia and the Pacific. In 2020, he gathered the courage to start writing poetry instead of just reading them. He loves appreciating the everyday little things about life.