Every morning, heavy fogs are lifting, clouds are rolling
Uncovering the overlooking
Across, are mountaintops with patches of green-yellow-brown, in complementary harmonies
Below, we see the entire world existing just beneath our notice
Every afternoon, we hike through the woods
Passing midst mellow caress of lush greens
We travel along the rhythmic motion of trails: Up...Down... Like unending slopes
Just to meet the people, with highest hopes
At dusk, we eagerly await the sun as it swims down the horizon
And watch the crepuscular rays paint the place with sheer bliss
When the moon ascends and meets the line,
Dispersed stars afloat steadily on serene skies
Everyday, we experience fleeting glimpse of their story; from how the place get drenched with hefty raindrops
From how the rainbow arches and peeks through treetops
From how the flowers blossom, leaves fall, and twigs litter the floor
From how the wind howls, people begin to soar.
It has been a month of solitary
Someplace tropical, someplace cozy
It has been weeks away from the contemporary: Social media, walls of people, and the usual day-to-day errands in the city
It is indeed an invaluable gift and a life-changing opportunity
To re-experience joy with the people of New Barili.
-Marifa B. Tandih, NBB