Silent Trails
Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion
Silent Trails
Silent are the trails of Benguet hills,
When the mist veils the sun –
Even the wind stirs the ferns
And the bamboo brakes sing
Their echoey murmurs.
And the laden Benguet women pass,
Beating their pakkongs*
In cadenced monotones.
Even so,
These trails are lonely
And deep are the ravines.
And higher still the skies.
* A bamboo percussion instrument used by the Benguets to accompany their chants.
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