Dolores Altea Lapinid, Marikina City, Metro Manila, Philippines

#haibun
Sampaguita *

Long ago, Rosita, the daughter of the Datu of Gagalangin and Delfin, the son of the Datu of Balintawak, fell in love with each other. Both of their parents are mortal enemies.

forbidden love
disregard family feud
meets secretly

The lovers meet secretly at night when the moon was bright near the boundary of their respective territory.
Each territory has a bamboo fence. Both parties see to it that territorial divisions are observed. One time a territorial battle occured. Delfin led the battle for Barangay Balintawak. He was young and inexperienced. He was hit badly. Before his death, he told his men that he will be buried near the boundary.

I'm ready to fight
what is mine is really mine.
till the last drop

Rosita too got sick. Before she died. she told her father that she will be buried near their property boundary.

my body will rest
in our secret meeting place
with sweet memories

Time passed and there were changes made by the government. Some people said that a small bush grew near the boundaries of former Balintawak and Gagalangin. It had small white flowers and fragrant smell at night. They could hear moans of the dead lovers saying, "Sumpa kita( I swear)." Later the flowers came to be known as Sampaguita.

dainty white flowers
with sweet fragrance at night
remembrance of Love 

© 2019 Dolores Altea Lapinid

*Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines.