Piano and Drums by Gabriel Okara

  

When at break of day at a riverside

I hear jungle drums telegraphing

the mystic rhythm, urgent, raw

like bleeding flesh, speaking of

primal youth and the beginning,

I see the panther ready to pounce,

the leopard snarling about to leap

and the hunters crouch with spears poised.

And my blood ripples, turns torrent,

topples the years and at once I’m 

in my mother’s laps a suckling;

at once I’m walking simple

paths with no innovations

rugged, fashioned with the naked

warmth of hurrying feet and groping hearts

in green leaves and wild flowers pulsing.

Then I hear a wailing piano

solo speaking of complex ways

in tear- furrowed concerto;

of far away lands

and new horizons with

coaxing diminuendo,  counterpoint, 

crescendo, but lost in the labyrinth of its complexities, it ends in the middle of a phrase at a daggerpoint

And I lost in the morning mist

of an age at a riverside keep

wandering in the mystic rhythm

of jungle drums and concerto.

THE END

    We can see from the poetry that no matter how various cultures impact a person, they never forget where they originated from. In the Philippines, it is clear that diverse cultures from other nations have affected the cuisine we eat, the way we live, the way we dress, and other aspects of our lives. These influences originated from Korea, Japan, Thailand, and others. However, even if we have been exposed to various cultures, we never forget to enhance our own. Because we loved them so much, many Filipino celebrities, such as Heart Evangelista, use local artists to create their items, which are then sold in other countries.

    The author remembers how glorious and straightforward his life was previously, comparing it to the beating of a drum. Then he hears the piano, which is a different instrument. Individuals are adapting to the influences of various civilizations. However, the author says that he was concerned about how it would affect their culture if it mixed with theirs.

    It isn't very reassuring to learn that some Filipinos prefer other cultures over their own. However, those who stay loyal to their nation deserve a standing ovation.

    And it is from this point. So we might infer that there is no place like home.

Sources:

• https://litionaryblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/19/the-piano-and-the-drums/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOV039HkQqI&ab_channel=PoetryOnline