Unchained Happiness Poem by Arcely Talicuad

She, a sweet little girl born with translucent eyes.
First sees the light behind the mountains in the South
Friends with no one, but peasants of the field.
Sleeps on a wooden bed with sonatas of the crickets.

No wealth, yet enjoys life, like grasses on the ground
Climbs on those trees and swings till her heart stops.
Spreads her arms and feels the wind roughly passing by
Imagines that she can fly, flies like the butterflies!

One sunny day, she goes, innocently wonders!
She sees the insects cheerfully playing on the field.
Long tailed winged creature amazes her, thus, she catches it!
Puts it on a bottle and quickly runs to her mother.

'Mama, what is this with wings on its back? 'Curiously, she asks.
It's called a dragon fly, her mother answers back,
Does it have a home and family like us? Her eyebrow arcs.
Of course! So please, let it go, for it has babies too.

No! Her mind says and fights with her conscience.
For she feels the guilt covering her tiny heart,
'I hope we can be friends', she tenderly whispers
As she kisses the tiny dragon fly and releases it afterwards!

(February 17,2015, Baguio City)