reaping rice --
the water buffalo's turn
to relax

farewell night: haibun

April 25 - it was our last night in Tabuk, Kalinga where we held a workshop with members of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army who forged a peace agreement with the Philippine government in 1986. The members of the CPLA, which has broken down into factions over the past two decades, are indigenous peoples belonging to various ethnolinguistic groups that make up the Cordillera region-- a place of tribal conflicts and communist insurgency. During the workhop, we revisited the peace accord and came up with consensus points toward its closure. That night, the CPLA members had an induction of new officers and a simple celebration. I wasn't part of the affair, But what would I do with the excess beer in my room?




farewell night in Tabuk --
sharing my beer with
a warrior

brownout--
waiting for the light
under a full moon

empty playground--
a sparrow perched
on the seesaw

city park--
among the joggers
a limping dog

christmas eve --
warm greetings from
I don't know who

get ready
with your wishes --
meteor shower night

Green Christmas

I'm dreaming of a Green Christmas
with every christmas card I write;
may your days be merry, bright and clean,
and may all your Christmases be green.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!