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Ruth Firmeza August 1975, Bundok Cresta, Cabagan, Isabela
Banig (English)
You are a symbol of the ghost
in your soil someone is buried after every encounter
in the navel of your deep mountain that offers a hiding place
is a mystery for the tribes who, at the outskirts, live
You will be cursed by those who try to surface
out of the steep ridges and rolling fields
if the lushness of your woods yield no wealth
no one will possess your forest wild and hilly
In your river and stream flowed the red blood
and with the explosion of gunpowder the enemy was defeated
indeed a ghost you are to them for many you have failed
even among us who sacrificed, the lessons from you will sink deep.
(J.M.A.)
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