Embroidered fans flutter along with the hushed devotions

Young feet pattering beside the chapel archways

Chorus of children offer blessings and cotton-white jasmine

While chatters and mirth permeate the balmy breeze

Spiky rambutans & crates of sunshine mangoes trace the sidewalks

In each stall, whiffs of spices bursting from clay pots

Clamoring over the street, sweat trickles down on jeepney drivers

While hunched beside wooden soles are those cutting musky leather

By the river, rows of water lilies drifting in silence

Sculptured cows and carabaos parade under the shadows of narra

Voices disperse as folks spread over dewy grass

All gazing with a sigh on the setting sun’s golden streams

Cover image by Yannes Kiefer on Unsplash