An Arch of Bamboo

 An Arch of Bamboo

 Through the arching bamboo grove 

     in almost perfect dome;

at day's end of books and chores,

     walks she alone for home.

Dr Abe V Rotor 

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

The Gecko stirs to the dusk,
    and calls its mate across the arch,
the sparrow the grove its lair,
    calls its 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
     in almost perfect dome;
at day's end of books and chores,
    walks she alone for home. ~.