Notes From Mambukal Poem by RIC BASTASA

i am learning
from the towering trees

i have seen the right of birds
to have a home

the co-existence of bats and
snakes

the essence of ripe fruits
that must remain on the ground
until they are rotten

when birds leave the seeds
after consuming all pulp
and flesh

the songs of birds
love calls
the hisses of snakes
the chants of earthworms


it was a night
when i dip my body to that hot spring
with healthy sulfur breaths
from volcanic
woman

when i make my self still
listening

always listening
and simply feeling what is warm
and tender