MANG TEBAN AND THE WEATHER
Josue Rem. Siat

One April noon when all was bright
And clear and dazzling to the sight,
Beside the road Mand Teban stood
Wiping his face in sullen mood.
He saw the heatwaves in the glare
As devils on the stage afire
And chafed in the sultry air
And wish for rainy days.
Then (when salt sold at treble price)
And muddy pools mocked cloudy skies,
Mang Teban, passing dripping trees,
With trousers rolled up to his knees,
Reproached the sky and saw the rain
As diablos dancing in the mire-
And shrank in the pelting rain-
And wished for sunny days!