Arch of Bamboo

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Student passing under an arch of bamboo, Sunken Garden, 
UP Diliman QC. Photo by Miss Alyssa Beltran

Through the arching bamboo grove 

     that talks in whisper and creak; 

at day's end of books and chores,

     walks she alone indiscreet.

The Gecko stirs to the dusk,

     and calls its mate across the arch,

the sparrow the grove its lair,

     calls the flock before it's dark.   

The skipper its wings with eyes

     darts and scares a passerby,

slithers the skink to its hole, 

     and bats take off to the sky.     

The firefly lights its torch soon,
     as heaven falls in darkness, 
and the breeze dies in doldrums
     or weaves through in soft caress.

The termites hum in their nest,
    and spawn mushrooms around  
punso, home of the dwende -
    tale children are spellbound.     

The children run for home aglee
     before the kapre is back  
in the grove, chanting tabi-tabi,
    to build up courage and tact.   

Through the arching bamboo grove 

     that talks in whisper and creak; 

at day's end of books and chores,

     walks she alone indiscreet.