When The Day Was Still Young Poem by Clarisse Austria

When the day was young, time flowed like a lullaby,
With my father's warm hand intertwined in mine,
A pot of steamed rice I swung by his side.
The water wandered, whispering as we trail the river bank.

We caught Suso, slipping through slick grass,
To feast as the murmuring air brushed our cheeks.
Barefoot in our pajamas and shirts,
We danced in the sweet, clear current's bank.

When the day was young, we loved the smell of the rain
Drip, drop, a sweet humming drum as it came
Water from heaven, never carried acids;
Water from earth, never tasted like fear.

When the day was young, winged guardians hovered,
Catching dragonflies around the harvested rice fields,
Under the sun that had never been as lively
No worrying about ozone holes above our heads.

When the day was young, the mountains were magnificent landscapes,
Evergreen, like a playground of the puffy clouds and heavenly firmament.
My friends and I used to shake the old Duhat tree,
And just like that—it rained twilight stars of small, oval, purple plums,
The jewels we caught with our tiny, dainty palms
Feasted on by our hungry mouths.

Now the days are not as vibrant as they were,
Oh, I wanted to catch a dandelion puff and wish
To go back and hold my father's wrist,
Warm then—but now, it's gone, like fainted ash; no more picnics by the banks.
Today, the river sings the hymn of a splash, but the rhythm has changed,
People no longer dance in its water but only plastics and bottles.

Where are the dragonflies that sang during harvest time?
The mountains, I see its visible scars beneath the land.
The trees are gone and houses have seized the once-fertile soil.
Wild flowers don't bloom at its corners,
But barbecue sticks and cups of sweet chili sauce lie scattered.

I planted my memories like a seed in my chest that cracked my ribs.
Now, I speak not to mourn the sky, the earth, or my childhood memories.
Can you hear the bittersweet, mellow sound
Guardians of the ozone calling us,
To tune our ways to their healing sound?
Play your instrument and help save what still can be saved
While the day is still young.