The Chapel in the Barrio

The Chapel in the Barrio

trans by Fe S. Estanislao

(Ang Ermita sa Baryo)

by Magdalena Jalandoni

Humble and serene beyond compare

Its door facing the sea

Nipa and cogon thatched and bamboo

Frame

Painted by the mellow of dawn

.Standing there by the mountainside

Its door wide open, spacious and

Peaceful

And hitched on a branch of dapdap

Tree

Loosely are its rusty bells.

Inside the sacred image of Christ

Whose sorrowful face induces man to

weep 

There on His ancient altar He invites 

The visitation of adoring birds.

In wrist-deep water, and make it, 

Though with much awkward kicking in

the air.

It will be fun there in the summer sea.

But with this, he cannot hint a word

 To the little woman. His hands are

firmly chained

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/59325021/The-Chapel-in-the-Barrio