No River Flows From Here Poem by Elmer Sayre

I am surprised why you came home grandpa
when no river flows from here
you can no longer use your bubo
your spear is incongruous at your side
sorry, I should have asked you
but life is so bewildering we could not prevent
the plantation from expanding
they have papers grandpa and machines
that spewed death and destruction
nobody has been for us for so long
we hide behind our circle.

Yes, your grandsons can no longer soothe
their feet in the sweet, cool waters after play,
nor pounce on crabs, on frogs,
and bring home nature’s bounty.

Do not be sad, grandpa, please –
for the plantation owners
have given us Progress, inside tinned goods,
and aspirin and Mrs. Ramos, the schoolteacher
in exchange for the river that once
flowed from here.


*Bubo – a bamboo contraption used to trap shrimps and small fish in Mindanao.