BSN 3B MARCH 15, 2024

ANGELICA P. CASIDO

POEM’S OF RIZAL DR. JOSE RIZAL

THE POEM’S OF RIZAL

Jose Rizal's poems reflect his profound sentiments, ranging
from love for his country to his contemplations on life and
freedom. Through his literary contributions, Rizal ignited a
fervor for independence, encouraging Filipinos to embrace
their cultural identity and strive for a more just and
enlightened society.

Jose Rizal, renowned for his intellectual and literary prowess,

explored themes of love and inspiration in his writings with
both depth and eloquence. His words continue to resonate,
motivating generations to embrace the transformative power
of love and to strive for a better, more liberated future for
the Philippines.
This paper will discuss my personal insights and views of
three literary pieces from Rizal’s poem works, which is the
Dr. Jose Rizal “To Josephine”, “Kundiman”, and “A Poem That Has No Title”.
1861-1896
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
TO JOSEPHINE

ENGLISH SPANISH

Josephine, Josephine Josefina, Josefina,Que a estas

Who to these shores have come playas has venido Buscando un

Looking for a nest, a home, hogar, un nido,Como errante

Like a wandering swallow; golondrina;Si tu suerte te

If your fate is taking you encamina A Shanghai, China o

To Japan, China or Shanghai, Japon, No te olvidas que en estas

Don't forget that on these shores playas Late por ti un corazon.

A heart for you beats high.

Marie Josephine Leopoldine Bracken

(August 9, 1876 – March 14, 1902)

Only few know about a poem Rizal wrote for The interpretation of these verses relies on

Josephine in July 1895, just before she left Dapitan Rizal and Josephine's historical background.

for Manila. Titled "A Josefina" and translated by From the lines, three things are clear: Rizal is

Nick Joaquin, this holds significance as Josephine is immovable due to exile; Josephine, though

the first and only foreign woman involved in the building a home in Dapitan, is seen as

Philippine revolution. potentially leaving freely since she lacks ties

to the place; and a reader senses a posture of
In late February 1895, in Dapitan, Rizal met 18-
loving, humble submission, setting the tone of
year-old Irish girl Josephine Bracken. She came
the entire piece.
seeking Rizal for eye treatment as the adopted
The essence of the poem is a profound
daughter of George Taufer from Hong Kong. Rizal
declaration of enduring love from Rizal to
was drawn to her, finding solace from loneliness
Josephine. It conveys the sentiment that,
and boredom by falling in love again. However, the
regardless of Josephine's whereabouts, Rizal's
Rizal sisters suspected Josephine as a friar agent,
love for her will persist, and his heart will
considering her a threat to Rizal's safety.
continue to beat passionately for her.
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
TO JOSEPHINE
ENGLISH
Josephine, Josephine
Who to these shores have come
Looking for a nest, a home,
Like a wandering swallow;
If your fate is taking you
To Japan, China or Shanghai,
Don't forget that on these shores
A heart for you beats high.
Marie Josephine Leopoldine Bracken
(August 9, 1876 – March 14, 1902)
The verses suggest a steadfast commitment,
assuring Josephine that whenever she needs a
home or a supportive presence, Jose will be
unwaveringly by her side, patiently waiting.
The poet's words paint a picture of a love that
transcends physical distance and time,
emphasizing the constancy of his affection and
the promise of enduring support.
My personal comments about this piece is
when reflecting on this touching piece by
Rizal, I can't help but be moved by the depth of
emotion encapsulated in a single stanza.
SPANISH
Josefina, Josefina,Que a estas
playas has venido Buscando un
hogar, un nido,Como errante
golondrina;Si tu suerte te
encamina A Shanghai, China o
Japon, No te olvidas que en estas
playas Late por ti un corazon.
Despite its brevity, the poem resonates with an
immense and enduring love, leaving their
shared story with an unmistakable sense of
incompleteness.
As someone myself loves to write poems, short
stories and novel also, this is a proof of how
love can make an artist/poets inspired
producing such work which conveys a lot of
feelings, or emotions and words to say. Though
interpreting a written piece depends how a
reader can relate to it.
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
KUNDIMAN

ENGLISH
TAGALOG
Truly hushed today
Tunay ngayong umid yaring dila't
Are my tongue and heart
puso
Harm is discerned by love
Sinta'y umiilag, tuwa'y lumalayo,
And joy flies away,
Bayan palibhasa'y lupig at sumuko
'Cause the Country was
Sa kapabayaan ng nagturong
Vanquished and did yield
puno.
Through the negligence
Of the one who led.
Datapuwa't muling sisikat ang
araw,
But the sun will return to dawn;
Pilit maliligtas ang inaping bayan,
In spite of everything (Love Song), 1891 September 12
Magbabalik mandin at muling iiral
Subdued people
Ang ngalang Tagalog sa In the context of Rizal's
Will be liberated;
sandaigdigan.
"Kundiman," it's important to
The Filipino name
Will return perhaps
understand that the term
Ibubuhos namin ang dugo't babaha
And again become "kundiman" typically refers to
Matubos nga lamang ang sa
In vogue in the world.
amang lupa a genre of traditional Filipino

Habang di ninilang panahong love songs. These songs often

We shall shed
tadhana, express deep emotions,
Blood and it shall flood
Sinta'y tatahimik, iidlip ang nasa.
longing, and patriotism.
Only to emancipate
The native land;
Rizal's "Kundiman" is believed to be a poetic expression of love for the
While the designated time
Philippines rather than a romantic love song. Unfortunately, there is
Does not come,
Love will rest some debate and uncertainty about which specific work or set of lines

And anxiety will sleep. should be attributed to Rizal as a "Kundiman." Scholars have studied
various poems and writings, attempting to identify the most likely
candidates.
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
Despite this uncertainty, the term "Kundiman" is
KUNDIMAN
often associated with Rizal, reflecting his
multifaceted contributions to Philippine literature
and his deep love for his country.

The poem expresses a lament for a nation under

oppression and a hopeful vision of a brighter future.
Despite current suffering, the poet believes that
liberation is possible and that the national spirit will
ultimately prevail.

The poem's tone shifts from despair to optimism, (Love Song), 1891 September 12

reflecting the cyclical nature of history and the When it comes to this written work of Rizal

enduring resilience of the human spirit. The poet's which is the "Kundiman," as I was reflecting

unwavering belief in the future is evident in the on it, I am captivated by the profound

repetition of "muling" (again) and "sisikat" (will emotion and patriotic fervor woven into the

shine), emphasizing the inevitability of liberation. verses. While the term "kundiman" typically

brings to mind traditional Filipino love

The poem aligns with Rizal's broader literary
songs, Rizal transforms it into a powerful
contributions, which often explored themes of
expression of love for our homeland.
colonialism, national identity, and social justice. It
As I explore the verses, it becomes clear
captures the zeitgeist of the late 19th century
that Rizal's "Kundiman" goes beyond being
Philippines, a period marked by growing nationalist
a mere romantic melody; it serves as a
sentiments and resistance to Spanish rule. The
poignant declaration of affection for the
poem's message of hope and revolution resonated
Philippines, resonating with a deep sense of
deeply with Filipinos at the time and continues to
longing and a connection to our national
inspire generations today.
roots.
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding which
KUNDIMAN
specific work should be attributed to Rizal as a
"Kundiman," the collective essence of his writings
speaks volumes about his profound love for the
country. Rizal's ability to infuse a traditional form
with such patriotic spirit showcases his literary
prowess and commitment to stirring the hearts of his
fellow Filipinos.
In essence, my response to Rizal's "Kundiman" is
one of admiration for its capacity to transcend
typical love songs, becoming a timeless anthem of
devotion to the Philippines. The uncertainty
surrounding the specific piece adds to its mystique,
(Love Song), 1891 September 12
inviting us to appreciate the enduring impact of
Rizal's words on our collective national identity.
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
As I did my research about this written work of
A POEM THAT HAS NO
Rizal, it’s possible that the poem originally had a title
in Spanish, as Jose Rizal primarily wrote in Spanish
TITLE
during his lifetime. However, there are instances
where poems are known by their first lines or are
simply referred to as "Untitled" or "A Poem That Has
No Title" due to the lack of a formal title provided by
the author. Rizal's work "A Poem That Has No Title,"
it's likely that this is the name by which it is
commonly recognized, regardless of whether it had
a different title in Spanish. Unfortunately, I coudn’t
find its spanish version or more information about
ENGLISH
the poem.
To my Creator I sing
Who did soothe me in my great loss;
A fragment of “A Poem That Has No Title”, this short To the Merciful and Kind

poem of Rizal has no title. It bespeaks of his Who in my troubles gave me repose.

thanksgiving to God for soothing him during his

troubles and dark moments. In this poem, he also
expressed his gratitude to God for allowing him to
be born to a respectable and honorable family and
to belong to a rich country. The difficulties and
Thou with that pow'r of thine
Said: Live! And with life myself I found;
And shelter gave me thou
And a soul impelled to the good
Like a compass whose point to the North is bound.

struggles of Rizal which he suffered and his sadness

Thou did make me descend
were evident in theverses of this poem.
From honorable home and respectable stock,
And a homeland thou gavest me
Jose Rizal, wrote "A Poem That Has No Title" during
Without limit, fair and rich
his lifetime, which spanned from June 19, 1861, to Though fortune and prudence it does lack.

December 30, 1896.

 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
The exact date when Rizal wrote "A Poem That
A POEM THAT HAS NO
Has No Title" is not readily available, as Rizal did
TITLE
not always date his poems or provide detailed

information about the circumstances of their

composition. Additionally, some of Rizal's works

were discovered posthumously, further

complicating efforts to establish precise timelines

for his writings.

Despite the lack of specific information about the

poem's creation date, "A Poem That Has No Title"

remains a cherished piece of Rizal's literary Rizal began to display his literary talents at a

legacy. Its themes of longing, loss, and the young age, but "A Poem That Has No Title" is

passage of time resonate with readers, reflecting generally considered to be one of his later

the universal human experience and works, written during his adulthood.

demonstrating Rizal's enduring relevance as a Rizal's childhood was marked by his early

poet and thinker. education and exposure to literature, as well as

his travels with his family.

Additionally, there are information telling that

While Rizal did write poetry and prose from a
Rizal wrote it when he was eight year old, but
young age, the specific timing of when he
there is no evidence to suggest that Jose Rizal
composed "A Poem That Has No Title" is not
wrote "A Poem That Has No Title" when he was
definitively documented. However, it is unlikely
eight years old.
that he wrote it at the age of eight, given the
complexity and maturity of its themes and
language.
 THE POEM’S OF RIZAL
My personal comments about this poem’s of Rizal
A POEM THAT HAS NO
is that as I reflect on "A Poem That Has No Title"
TITLE
by Jose Rizal, I'm struck by its profound simplicity

and timeless resonance. Despite its lack of a

formal title, the poem captures the essence of

human emotion and the passage of time in a

remarkably poignant way.

The absence of a title adds to the mystery and

intrigue surrounding the poem, inviting readers

to explore its depths and uncover its meaning for

Overall, "A Poem That Has No Title" serves as a
themselves. Rizal's mastery of language is
poignant reminder of the beauty and
evident in every line, as he delicately weaves
complexity of life, urging us to cherish each
together themes of longing, nostalgia, and the
moment and embrace the ever-changing
fleeting nature of existence.
journey that lies ahead.

What resonates with me most is the universal

It also rebuilt my faith to God, and it reminds me
quality of the poem. Despite being penned by
that God has his ways to take us into the right
Rizal over a century ago, its themes remain as
path and what he knows what we deserve in
relevant today as they were then. The emotions it
life.
evokes are ones that many of us can relate to,

reminding us of the shared experiences that bind

us together as human beings.

 CONTENT SUMMARY
In "To Josephine," Rizal expresses his deep
TO JOSEPHINE affection and longing for his beloved Josephine,
conveying the pain of separation and the hope
for their reunion. Rizal's passionate declaration
of love for Josephine resonates deeply with me.
The raw emotion and longing expressed in the
poem evoke a sense of empathy and
understanding for the complexities of romantic
relationships, particularly amidst the challenges
of separation and distance.

In "Kundiman," Rizal transforms the

traditional Filipino love song into a
powerful expression of patriotism and love KUNDIMAN
for the Philippines, evoking emotions of
pride and devotion to the homeland. The
“Kundiman" showcases Rizal's profound
love for our homeland, the Philippines. The
fusion of traditional Filipino love song
elements with patriotic fervor stirs a deep
sense of national pride within me. Rizal's
ability to capture the essence of our
cultural identity and convey it through
poetry is truly inspiring.
 CONTENT SUMMARY
"A Poem That Has No Title" captures the
A POEM THAT HAS NO essence of human emotion and the passage
TITLE
of time with its profound simplicity. The
absence of a formal title adds to its
mystique, inviting readers to explore
themes of longing, nostalgia, and the
fleeting nature of existence. It is like it
speaks to me on a profound level with its
exploration of universal themes such as
longing, nostalgia, and the passage of time.

The absence of a formal title adds an element of mystery and intrigue, inviting me to
interpret the poem's meaning in my own unique way. Rizal's ability to evoke such profound
emotions with simplicity and elegance is a testament to his skill as a poet.
 REFERENCES
The absence of a formal title adds an element of mystery and intrigue, inviting me to
interpret the poem's meaning in my own unique way. Rizal's ability to evoke such profound
emotions with simplicity and elegance is a testament to his skill as a poet.

https://prezi.com/ebpbwzvcuxvz/poems-and-
corespondence/#:~:text=Flowers%20among%20Flowers,had%20a%20lot%20of%20girlfri
ends.