Off To Cebu And Puerto Prinsesa Poem by RIC BASTASA

the idea is that
we need to slow down
to earn

we set aside what is fast
they won't love us for that

the turtles, look, they
always have those sleepy eyes

we love the burden of age
at their backs

the excitement of savoring
minute with minutes

so off we all go
to the queen city of the south

to the seventh wonder of the world
slow, so slow

are the stalactites and
stalagmites their meeting set upon

the dripping rain
the stillness of the pool within