Trees: a poem that humbly accept the power of nature

I grew up playing around our old neighborhood surrounded by Talisay (Tropical almond) trees. My sister insists one of the trees at the river at our farm was Talisay. I couldn't quite agree with the leaves looking so similar to the Botong-botong (Barringtonia asiatica) tree. I never saw it bore fruit. A day in March proved my sister right. All the leaves turned red and next to it the Botong-botong leaves remained green. It was a wonderful delight. I wasn’t able to write a poem about it but I remembered that I could never write one as lovely as a Talisay tree.

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Comments

An Easter in Dingalan Mountains

Jump to Itinerary and Expenses The Bus Ride from Manila to Cabanatuan At almost noon, we arrived at Cabanatuan after 3 hours of travel from Manila. At first, I was hesitant to take the non-AC bus bound for Dingalan, opting and hoping we could take the van to avoid the scorching heat. Quickly, we were time pressured to jump at the next available public vehicle (t his ride appealed like it would tarry no man ). And so, we were en route to Dingalan on an open-windows, non-aircon bus at the peak of the afternoon heat. But as the wheels ran, I could only think of my anticipation as we got closer to our next destination. Next to us, an old lady accompanying a big group of fellow passengers asked the bus conductor for a fare discount. She claimed that her son, whose name she mentioned twice though I didn't bother to catch, works for the bus company. The conductor with his subtle anxious look explained in detail how or where the fare will b...

Misnomer no more, pronouncing "Laguna de Bay" the right way!

Few years ago, we went to Paete/Pagsanjan by commuting from Cainta via mostly R-5/Manila East Rd. On our return home, we commuted via mostly Manila South Rd/AH26. In short, we made a 360 Laguna de Bay trip. At Tatlung Kruz, overlooking Paete Town and Laguna de Bay After visiting Bulusan lake, I started to categorize my lake travels and wondered what was the largest lake in the Philippines. I found Laguna de Bay– unconsciously included a few times in my past itineraries. I wondered why a lake was called "Laguna de Bay", pronouncing "Bay" as in the inlet of the sea that's smaller than a gulf. Laguna de Bay means "Lagoon of the town of Bay". The town Bay is pronounced Bä'ï or “Bae”, the latter is also the alternative name of the town. As I write this blog, I still say "bay" out of habit. Now, I must misnomer no more if I pass by Laguna de Bay, by the by!

Patchwork of Joy

Search This Blog