CHRISTMAS, 1967
by Luis G. Dato After we’re fifty, what to us the meedOr garden, or what mystic meaning yetMay Christmas hold or memory forget,Which the heart spurns and will refuse to heed;The thorns of what late flowers may make bleedThe heart…
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.
EULOGY TO PRINCESS ALICE
by Luis G. Dato And we now live our lives in fear,And faced with lethal weapons, ManMay see life here no more appear,His future with misgivings scan. Today we need you, Alice soThat Peace its aegis may restore,And plenty smile,…
EULOGY TO PRINCESS ALICE
by Luis G. Dato My fair princess, upon your browTonight a radiant crown we placeOf brightest gems, our love to show,And of your beauty sing our praise; Would that gene were brighter still,And the lyre lighter in our and,With eulogy…
HYMN TO THE VIRGIN OF PEÑAFRANCIA
translated by Luis G. Dato O Mary full of graceOf Peñafrancia’s shrine,In thee our hope we placeO Lady most divine. We hope alone through TheeWith faith that falters neverThe glory of Heaven to seeIts bliss to enjoy forever,Forsake us not,…
TO THE QUEEN
by Luis G. Dato Most gracious majesty, O most sereneAnd royal highness whom we crown our queen,Your people with deep homage o’er your browThe envied cross of loveliness bestow,Wishing you life end glory for your throne,Who reigns o’er then resplendent…
BY A TOMBSTONE
by Luis G. Dato Your tears and sighs and loneliness conspireTo cast a shadow o’er this calm moonrise,As lone as you weep by wakeless tombs where liesSome being dearest to your heart’s desire,Your prayers soar to happy heavens higherWhere fines…
TO A LOST ONE
by Luis G. Dato For many a day of sunlight,Her eyes surveyed the waves,And in her glances one nightDescry her cold, white grave. For many days she waitedHer eyes with weeping warm,To bare boughs undulatedIn the loud-howling storm. Her days,…
THE DAMSEL OF SABANG
(with the collaboration of Taciano Rey) Beside the Gulf of LagonoyAmong the hillocks hiddenA hamlet greets the rising sunsAlike a view of EdenAnd heaven is that charmed standWhere woods and waves come blendingAbide a people in delightThat never knows as…
END OF THE QUEST
by Luis G. Dato I sought you always in the world’s wide places,In piers and places, the roaring street,Where the world’s pilgrims worn with aching feet,Seek as I sought you mid strange, unknown faces.Albeit I found you not, but only…
TO THE QUEEN
by Luis G. Dato O radiant royal beauty,It is a pleasant dutyTo praise you to the skies;I deem no greater pleasureThan lauding in rimed measureYour reign which we all treasure,Though time forgets and flies. From near and far-off places,Come friendly…
