Today, I share with you two poems that deeply touched me. “Hometown” by Luis Cabalquinto, a native from Camarines Sur (one of my favorite provinces in the Philippines next to Cebu), paints an idyllic place I would love to live in in a heartbeat (if only?). “Silent Trails” by Marcelo de Garcia Concepcion from Ilocos Sur shows me a sneak preview--and a serene picture it is--of the famed Benguet hills. The poems are short yet descriptive (inclined towards soul-searching). They prompt me to further widen my mind’s panoramic view of nature.
Hometown
by Luis Cabalquinto
After a supper of mountain rice
And wood-roasted river crab
I sit on a long bench outside
The old house, looking at a river:
Alone, myself, again away
From that other self in the city
On this piece of ancestor land,
My pulses slowed, I am at peace.
I have no wish but this place---
To remain here in a stopped time
With stars moving on that water
And in the sky a brightness
Answering: I want nothing else
But this stillness filling me
From a pure darkness over the land
That smells ever freshly of trees.
The night and I are quiet now
But for small laughter from a neighbor,
The quick sweep of a winged creature
And a warm dog, snuggled by my feet.
Silent Trails
by M. De Gracia Concepcion
Silent are the trails of Benguet hills,
When the mist veils the sun--
Even when the wind stirs the ferns
And the bamboo brakes sing
Their echoey murmurs.
And the laden Benguet women pass,
Beating their pakkong
In cadenced monotones.
Even so,
These trails are lonely
And deep are the ravines
And higher still the skies.
- - -
What poems have you read recently?
- Nancy -
Hi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI really liked the first poem, and how it expressed the idea of a "separate self" away from the city (or away from work, in my case). It recalled to mind memories of my grandparents' property in the mountains that I visited when I was a child. Thanks for sharing!
-Jay
Hi Jay, thanks for dropping by. "Hometown", in a deeper sense, reminds me of my inner peaceful self always wanting to be indulged by the sights and sounds of the mountains, away from work and the city.
DeleteThanks for posting these. I love the mood in the first one. Stillness and separation but also a connectedness with the world.
ReplyDeleteSo do I. I'm so glad you like it. :)
DeleteBoth poems are great simple yet it conveys so much. I used to write poems when I was younger. I still have yet to incorporate them in my blogs though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Franc. I look forward to reading your poems.
DeleteThanks for posting these. The first poem gives me these zen, relaxing vibes. :)
ReplyDeleteThe last poem I read honestly was back in reading and literature class, something off of Robert Frost.
I hope you'll be able to visit again because I will have more posts about poems. Yes, relaxing vibes... poems give those a lot. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteSee, I think we have so much to offer in terms of artistic production. Our literary heritage is rich and diverse.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but sadly, quite underappreciated (in my opinion).
DeleteWhile reading "Hometown" I thought of the places I traveled which felt like home, not our actual home. The words, phrases perfectly capture that feeling.
ReplyDeleteTrue. I felt the same way. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts! :)
Delete"Hometown" - I enjoyed reading
ReplyDeleteThis lovely poem that kept me hanging,
Made me remember almost everything,
The simplest life the Philippines can bring.
I miss making poems!
This reminded me of the property of our family in northern Zambales-in fact I sent you a number of pictures of the property after reading your post
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing them, Mel. I enjoyed the photos. Nostalgia. And I missed our old mango tree. It's still holding up after all these years.
Deleteso missing home and my hometown... for wherever the studies or work get you - for long or just a few months, nothing can get you closer to the feeling of being at home or the old sofa...
ReplyDeleteI live in the Philippines but believe it or not I'm homesick. I'm not in Cagayan de Oro but I was born and raised in Benguet. I haven't been back home in 20 years. Too expensive to travel. I really miss the place.
ReplyDeleteA touching post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteboth sounds really interesting! good way in writing! keepit up! xx
ReplyDeleteI am more into short stories than poems. I rarely read poems and feels so good to have read your two examples.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I last wrote a poem. Happy kasi ako e.
ReplyDeleteI just came in from working the garden, hot and sore, and "Hometown" washed over me like cool water Thank you.
ReplyDelete