Manila Bay

Luis G. Dato

1906 –1985

I sit upon the white rocks by the bay,

Against whose hollows numberless, the waves

Will splash forevermore. The sunset laves

The deep with light. There rise far away

A mountain that has seemingly defied

The very clouds unchanged. And near, portending

That all created things will have an ending,

These crumbled crags lie by the ocean side!

O time! what element escapes your slow

And causeless move? These rough, resisting rocks,

Which the wind startled wave incessant mocks,

Are not to it unyielding even now.

The day is done, for once it had a beaming,

And so must all, whatever may be seeming.

From Manila: A Collection of Verse (Imp. Paredes, Inc., 1926) by Luis Dato. This poem is in the public
domain
The Swallow

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Luis G. Dato

1906 –1985

Little lone swallow frequenting the skies in the bleakness of oncoming rain,

Gloating on the view by the river reflected when days of sun reappear,

You who can sing in the fulness of sorrow, and in seasons of gladness usefully sing,

You who in mirth and melancholy alike find joy, joy in you we find.

We who aspire to vistas beyond us and only can lift our eyes,

We who live in transient gladness and hovering gloom,

We of the earth who cannot fly with you.

What life is yours who pursue not pleasure and yet have it,

You who know sorrow and by it be left unoppressed

You who in shadow arise, and in sunshine pensively dream on the river,

Of gladness not taking nor little nor much,

Of sorrow the master more often than not,

Knowing the one and the other as passing, imperfect,

Passing as the clouds in the bleakness of oncoming rain,

Imperfect as the vista by the river reflected when days of sun reappear.

From Manila: A Collection of Verse (Imp. Paredes, Inc., 1926) by Luis Dato. This poem is in the public
domain.
Intramuros
Luis G. Dato
1906 –1985

Out where the wild vines spread

Upon the winding walls,
I hear melodious madrigals
And music from the dead.

There where the grasses hang

Their canopy of leaves,
Which oft at dawn receives
Matins the mayas sang,

Where peace holds solemn sway

On mounted mossy squares,
Where panting thoroughfares
Are heard, but far away...

There will I sit and sing,

Far from the tramp of feet
Upon the crowded street,
And dream of crown and king.

Old walls now mouldering

In quiet, silent ease,
They knew not then of peace
When glory was their king.

They tell of a long-lost reign

And love-forsaken beauty,
Of sentinels on duty
With musket and with wine!

Of war and wrathful fight,

Of surging mob and crowd,
Protesting clear and loud
Against the law of might.

Of pirate Limahongs
That raided towns and coasts,
While vengeful hordes and hosts
Were shouting war-time songs.

Of sailors bold and brave,

Of buccaneer Van Noort,
Morga, who sailed from port,
The Spanish flag to save.
And of the years before,
When king was Soliman,
Whose rajah blood outran
To free his native shore.

Here once they help parade

Of saints and flaming torches,
Where now are crumbled churches
And convents all decayed!

Ah, walls that totter must,

Walls of pride and of power,
Living their day and hour,
Only to go to dust!

Walls, olden, ancient walls,

How many memories
And dismal harmonies
To mind your presence calls.

From Manila: A Collection of Verse (Imp. Paredes, Inc., 1926) by Luis Dato. This poem is in the public
domain.

Among the Hills

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Luis G. Dato
1906 –1985

I used to watch the sunrise glow

That set aflame the eastern skies,
My lips in songs did freely flow
As thoughts went fleeting with my sighs.

I’ve lived through storms and smiles and tears,

And seen familiar faces die,
Ah, these, my weary youthful years
Are fraught with shades of dreams gone by.

And yet when once again I see

The glory of the purpling hills,
My dying heart revives to be
A spring of loves and lover’s thrills.
My mind in youth did ever roam
Across the mountains and the dales,
And now my heart has found a home
Among the eastern hills and vales.

From Manila: A Collection of Verse (Imp. Paredes, Inc., 1926) by Luis Dato. This poem is in the public
domain.