At The Rural Side Of This World Poem by RIC BASTASA

when i step out of my door
i see a road lined with mahogany trees
an empty wide road
but not that muddy really
at this rainy season of the year

i hear the chirping of birds
and the hushing of the wind
greeting me with the coolness of
an after rain,

the grasses are still wet with dew,
the paths still dappled with water,
the pebbles glistening
to the sunlit view of
the hills which are so green and vibrant
the distant mountains shaded blue
tall and huge their tips almost touching the sky

there are no cars here just wooden sleds
pulled by the cows
of the working men
at the other side of the river nearby
some water buffaloes are restive on
cool wade in their mud holes
their tails whipping their butts
to drive away the gnats


i am waiting for the bus going to the city
the only bus for the day
and it will pass by here at eight.

on the bench opposite where i am seated
three girls are giggling

a handsome boy riding on a horse whistles
at the one with the long black hair

the sun is shining brightly on an ordinary day like this
on the rural side of this world that i have chosen to visit