The little girl casts a pebble in the pond
watching the swirling motions
with a crooked smile
she saw the reflection
of her bucked teeth
refracting in the edges
of the waxing moon…
other kids played in the pond
hanged on the ropes in the tree house
along the banks of Mt. Apo
as was told of miracles unbound
the lines along the pond
coalesce and contort
akin to a cat’s cradle
as she looked at its reflection
now, seeing deep dark circles
under her eyes
she is 60 now
watching her grandkids
pelt pebbles in the pond
near Mt. Apo
where the elders told them
do not awaken the Gods
or it will cause their ire
do not tempt the waters
for it will cause a typhoon
Do not take a bath
Shhh…she chastised her grandkids
“But we wanted to play…”
exclaimed Anna
“OK”, she said
“But do not go near the pond again”
“why?”
“You might see a duende there”
“Really?” Anna said
“I thought I saw God dancing
in the light of the moon
He took me in
And he told me to be not afraid”
She hugged her
as she held her hand
and lead her to dance
amongst the stones…
