Abdul Majiid K. Abdul Azis
Lake Dwellers
The lake glimmers like a mirror,
reflecting the sky, the clouds,
and the lives of the Maranao people.
Their homes, elevated on stilts,
resemble birds resting on reeds,
gently swaying on the water’s surface.
Children’s laughter fills the air
as they jump from wooden platforms,
splashing into the cool depths
where tales of the Sarimanok and the Hikayat come alive.
The women, with their skilled hands,
create intricate patterns that echo the lake’s shimmering beauty.
The men, adept fishermen,
cast their nets wide,
gathering the lake’s bounty to feed their families.
The lake serves as their lifeline,
a source of nourishment and inspiration.
As evening falls, the sky ignites with color,
and the lake becomes a canvas
painted in shades of orange and purple.
The Maranao gather on their balconies,
sharing stories and songs,
their voices harmonizing with the soft sound of the waves.
The lake stands as a quiet observer of their lives,
a timeless connection between the people and the water.
Lake and Mountain
Two brothers, born of the same mother,
ventured far from their family home.
One, captivated by the glistening water,
made his home by the lake, his heart aglow.
He beheld in its depths a tranquil life,
a wealth of fish and a fertile land.
He raised his house on stilts, out of sight,
a refuge amid the gentle rain.
The other, longing for the ancient trees,
the rustling leaves, the mountain breeze,
ascended higher, where the cool air frees
the spirit from the comforts of the lowlands.
He discovered peace in the vibrant green,
a hunter’s life, a freedom profound.
He built his home where the forest shines,
a life woven with nature’s dreams.
And so, the brothers chose their paths,
one by the lake, one in the mist.
The Maranao, blessed by the water’s grace,
the Higaunon, thriving in the mountain’s embrace.
Though fate had led them apart,
their shared lineage remains forever.
A bond unbroken, though hidden from view,
children of the same mother, at peace.
Will Sarimanok Ever Grace Mindanao Again?
When will Sarimanok, with its vibrant wings,
bring its grace to this land, so weary and blue?
When will its cry, a sweet melody that sings,
quiet the guns and heal the streets anew?
Sarimanok, a legend, a mythical sight,
a symbol of freedom, shining ever bright.
Peace, a fragile bird, elusive and rare,
longs to take flight but finds itself ensnared.
By shadows of conflict and whispers of dread,
by the echoes of war that linger instead.
The people of Mindanao, with hearts so sincere,
yearn for the moment when peace will appear.
When Sarimanok lands, with fish in its beak,
a symbol of abundance for all souls to seek.
When harmony thrives and justice prevails,
and the song of peace forever entails.