Hibiscus flower

In the dusk that battles with night,

In the bright day that fades into darkness,

Slowly she strides, following her way.

Her hair is smooth as wax,

Her bun is tightly-rolled and round,

Her sanguine lips smile beneath the rouge.

The shape of her body is seen through her thin blouse,

In the gleam of her white teeth here is all joy,

Her shoes beat out the cadence of her steps,

The red of her parted lips foretells sweet words.

Oh, hibiscus flower...

What would a garden be, if you did not adorn it,

Where would eyes go, if your color were not to be seen?

While you are in bloom, they admire you and seek you out,

But when you fade, you’re only a scrap they discard.

Hr. Bandaharo
tr. after Damais