And yet… I love you. A Mangyan poem (Philippines)

AND YET… I LOVE YOU

(A Mangyan poem) *

It is difficult for me
to think of you
because between you
and between me
is the vast sea
is the dark rainforest.

But
when I think of you
with all my love
then it is
as if you stand in front of me
as if you are with me.

Translation: Germain Droogenbroodt
Photo by Germain Droogenbroodt

* Mangyans are a Filipino minority, the original inhabitants of the island of Mindoro.
The poem is originally written in Mangyan. The poet is unknown