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“With apologies to Shakespeare, whose sonnet sequence of 136 sonnets is exceeded (quantitatively, that is) by the present” – Luis G. Dato by Luis G. Dato A bard I am who comradeless the wayRewander with a sigh within my songViewing…
Luis G. Dato
Filipino Poet, Writer and Educator
Luis Dato
Luis G. Dato (July 4, 1906 - January 29, 1985) was a poet, writer and educator from Sta. Cruz, Baao, Camarines Sur. He published books in English including Manila A Collection of verse (1926), My Book of Verses (1936) and the Land of Mai in 1975. He also wrote several books and text in Bikol such as, Vocabulario Bikol-Ingles-Kastila (1963), Cantahon na Bikol (1969), Morfologia kan Tataramon na Bikol (serialized in Naga Times), Patotodon sa Bikol (Bikol Mail) and Sarabihon sa Bikol.
TO MY MUSES
by Luis G. Dato I muse sometimes of flowers once perfumingThe halcyon of my yesteryears,And then again, an aureate form assuming,Their memory brings a memory of tears. Here once beneath cool, green acacia branchesHow gilded golden in the glowing dawn,Here…
Referendum Prayer
“A national referendum-plebiscite was held on October 16–17, 1976 in the Philippines in which the majority of the barangay voters approved the continuation of Martial Law and ratified the proposed amendments to the Constitution substituting the Regular Batasang Pambansa with…
“FILIPINO POETRY” BOOK REVIEW
In February 1925, after the recent publication of the first anthology of Filipino poets in English, “Filipino Poetry”, a 19-year old, University of the Philippines student, Luis G. Dato (“Bikol of Baao, Camarines Sur”) wrote the essay, Filipino Poetry, as…
TO LEONOR
by Luis G. Dato I would my eyes could seeIf hers were black or gray,Her smiles were all to meSweet roses blown in May;Yet all alone we stray,In vales of love to stayCan hear the melodyOf poetry in song;My heart…
From A Diary
by Luis G. Dato For her voice was the voice of the weird spirits vernalAnd her hair wore the hue of the unexplored night;When I failed to grasp fully the power supernalWho is kinder than mercy and sterner than might,I…
ON THE CROWN
by Luis G. Dato Your majesty, to tune my unused lyreIn praise of your supernal virtues is not meet,Your graces need of rhapsodies more sweetThat mine, which is rich only in desireBut not in poor your loveliness to chant,The charm…
BUHI’S “LA ROCA ENCANTADA”
by Luis G. Dato Within their lake-hushed silence the rocks speak,On their reflections in the water pour,Under a spell inscrutable they seekEnchantments of the dead, lost yester-year. What voices long since hushed these rocks could toll,If inarticulate they cease awhile?But…
BROWN GODDESS IN THE MAY RAIN
by Luis G. Dato This rainy day as I essay to writeThis poem brief in memory of you,The words with difficulty see the light,l knew not where to start, the words come fewAnd halting and stumble o’er my rhymes,Well knowing…
TO THE QUEENS OF ANTIPOLO
by Luis G. Dato I think it is a great honor this evening to proclaimThe queens of Antipolo, the glory of their name,Not gems and precious jewel we’ll place upon their brows,Such as by usual custom an all queens love…
