Olingan.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

in Olingan gold is bursting
the ripe grains of rice are heavy
bowing to the pleasure of
the working hands

harvest time, sacks filled
and the farmers shall party at
night with their families
partake of the bounty that
the Lord has given

the sparrows fly and hover on
the left-overs
the children run in the hillsides
and play
mothers make the sweet rice cakes
as fathers busy themselves with the
sickle and sacks

this is still the part of the world
freed from the jungle of buildings and
cemented pavements
free from the shackles of electronics
people talk and at night light their
campfires and drink and dance

deep in the night when everyone is
taking their rests
this is where love is gently woven
in the beautiful fabric of
human desires.