Wow, Philippines Poem by RIC BASTASA

this country
is blessed with lush rainforest
harboring
a variety of tropical
flora and fauna
huge ferns
multicolored birds
fishes and
butterfies

crossed by multiple navigable rivers
san juanico bridge
mc arthur park
clear waters
crystalline
bluer clouds
shining sun
blooming flowers

pocked by mysterious caverns
and refreshing waterfalls
atop a wooden raft
some ropes
and splashes

how could i ever ignore
this country

my country
my town
that now i am traveling
always like
a stranger
saying

wow, wow, philippines!
come my friends
we must try again
remembering the fresher times
of rivers and seas
and clouds and skies

wow, wow, philippines
i have never been
and yet so near
the islands of my dreams
now these realities