On Nature & Literature
I wonder if Francisco Balagtas knew Forest biomes when he wrote the first stanza of one of his greatest literary master pieces the “Florante at Laura”. Here it goes…
“Sa isang madilim, gubat na mapanglaw, dawag na matinik na walang pagitan, halos naghihirap ang kay Febong Silang dumalaw sa loob na lubhang masukal.”
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Accordingly, forest biome comes in two distinct traits, the open forest and the close forest. In here, Balagtas described characteristics of an open forest. I’m wondering if he has read something about it or what he wrote was based on his real life experiences. If that is so, how lucky he was then. Because it means that we had a thick forest before that probably inspired Balagtas in writing that literary piece, considering that the major setting of Florante at Laura was in the forest.
Open forests are characterized by high standing trees with continuous canopy of foliage. The overlapping canopy and the intermingled foliage prevent sunlight from penetrating in the forest.
Balagtas was right when he said, “halos naghihirap ang kay Febong silang dumalaw sa loob na lubhang masukal.” The word “Febo” is Spanish term for sun. Hence in an open forest just like what Balagtas has said or referring to, light penetration could hardly attain.
He also said, “madilim, gubat na mapanglaw” yes this is true the shaded condition of the forest keeps soils relatively moist, and this scenario makes a forest gloomy and sad to sight.
Now look at our present forest environment I hope you would still be inspired to write literacy pieces like this with the present conditions we are having right now. Where are now the tall trees? Where are now the “dawag na matinik na walang pagitan” because of the dense woods? What happened to our trees?
Poem anyone?
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