SILENT MOUNTAIN OF BINARATAN
Melvin D. Banggollay
Tabuk, Kalinga, Philippines
In the hinterland of Maducayan
Where I was born as a binodngan
Hailed a mountain called Binarattan
where silence slumbered for everyone.
Legend told us that Kabuniyan
The Holy God of the Maducayan
Who made all things for the clan,
The forest and animals of the land.
On His journey to visit every land
He passed upon mountain binaratan
Where wildlife sung all days with fun
that their songs can be heared in far land.
When he could not hear the bark
of his dogs he brought with Him to embark
to this journey to visit all his marks
of creation now famous landmark,
He raised his hands as he implored
every creature to hum no more
for he could hear his dogs explore
the beauty of the mountain's grandeur.
All that flies and crawls everywhee
made no sounds even just silent whispers
and even the wind had its great slumber
although the trees sways with its power;
trilling shadow of silence was everywhere
even if flocks of birds were playng over
upon every towering trees of wonder.
Afar, he can now clearly hear the bark
of his dogs he brought with him to embark
in this journey to visit all the mark
of his creation now famous landmark.
He, with just one stride of his magic,
reached his dogs so fast and automatc
as He joined them now running after wild pigs
who had eaten from farmer's rice fields
but he forgot to make a tall order
for the birds, the crickets , wild roster
and all other lving creatures to proclaim
and sing the melody of their nature and being.
Even up to now , silence still lingers
on this mountain where silence wanders.
When will this mountain will once again
proclaim the noisiness it one's claimed
is beyond everyone's great understanding.
Maybe, when God will return again
to hunt upon this majestic mountain.
