Have You? Poem by RIC BASTASA

have you ever experienced walking
just walking away without having any destination in mind?
just seeing the place where you always pass
the trees along the path
some weeds and stones and carabao dung
no conclusions
just observations
the clouds hanging on the side of the hill
the sun shining above a tall coconut tree
you take shade
and some streaks of light pass thru the leaves

sometimes i drive the car
but i do not have any place in mind
or name
or purpose
i just keep driving following the road
and slowly i see the ordinary things
and people and
structures

an old bridge abandoned
beside its railing some vines
rust overcoming its steel edges

your mind keeps traveling
but you do not stop it
it is the one controlling itself
not you

the sounds of birds and the
motors and some conversations
of people around you
vendors and passers-by
carrying their goods and
important supplies

have you ever written a poem
without any plan as to its theme
or a careful thinking about some imagery
or a deliberation as to the propriety of its tone
its count and color?

this is the one.
this is the poem that is making itself.
no rules. no theme.
no expectations.
plain monologue.
no unity. no consistency. nothing logical.

it is free. and it may be nothing but
an ugly piece.
but it is.

it is. Just as it is.
and this could be nothing but a
portrait of the face of
nothing. Nobody. No one.

No.Yes. A No.