The Sea Is Very Calm This Morning Poem by RIC BASTASA

the sea is very calm this morning
the talisay leaves are not disturbed by the breeze
my mama is sitting on a bench
combing her long hair
saying nothing
under a tree
beside our little nipa hut
facing the horizon

on the other side is a big house
whose iron gate is painted red
a big man comes out
rushing as though
he is chasing someone
holding a stick on his hand
shouting at the child
playing with my small brother
inside the yard
of our house

the child of that man is frightened
and runs as fast as he can
back to their house
his father catches him
beating his legs
with the stick on his
right hand

i can still hear the cry of that frightened child
from the very beating of his own papa

what a mess!

i could have told you once again about the peace
and the calm and the quiet of the sea on a morning like this
but it is not true anymore