A Eulogy of Roaches (Poem Analysis)

This poem talks about the people who do everything just to survive specifically the less fortunate people or the poor in which he used the metaphor "cockroaches". The author of this poem, Bienvenido Lumbera was actually an orphan. He probably felt empathy for the poor people and so he wrote this poem. He used the word "cockroach" to describe the poor since many people are disgusted when they see a cockroach which is most of the time the same when people see poor people or beggars. These bugs are also good in survival as the poem says, a trait in which poor people also possess.

The poem describes how I feel for the poor people too. I feel great sympathy for them since I know it must be very hard to survive when you have nothing. In our society today, I see a lot of people without a job, a home or even a family. Every time I see these people I always imagine myself in their position. I always wonder how would it feel to be all alone with nothing to do but find ways to feed my hungry stomach. I consider myself lucky since even after the death of my parents, I still have my relatives who care for me and provide all my needs.