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Poems

Luz Dayrit Navarro is a native of Bamban, Tarlac, Philippines. She studied at Holy Angel College (now, Holy Angel University) in Angeles City, where she was the Editor-in-Chief of the school organ, the Angelite. She also attended the University of Santo Tomas College of Pharmacy in Manila, Philippines. She married Dr. Honorio Navarro ( University of the Philippines Medicine '55) in May, 1953. They have four children, two boys and two girls. The family went to live in the US and they are all US citizens now.  All her children are married and live in different states with their own families. Now a widow, Mrs. Navarro resides in San Diego City, California. She is retired, and spends her time writing her autobiography, reading her beloved books and collecting her writings done when she was still in the Philippines. She also wrote the family history as it was handed down from previous generations by word of mouth. She wrote the family tree on her maternal side and encouraged her elder cousin to write the family history on her paternal side. She believes that any one who can remember the story of their lives must tell it to the succeeding generation and leave it as a legacy to future generations, that they may know how their ancestors lived during their time on earth. Oriental Madonna by Luz D. Navarro A beautiful, haunting kundiman I heard, Which floated in woodlands like song of the bird, I looked for the singer with surprise I saw Ethereal vision in moonlight's soft glow. Oriental Madonna as radiantly fair As gleaming of moonbeams that played in her hair, her golden brown beauty which tropic climes kissed, Wore Philippine raiments of gossamer mist. She stood on a hill with the wind in her hair, Her kudyapi strumming as she sang a sad air, How truly pathetic were all of her songs her sweet face reflected the tale of past wrongs. I thought she was young, not more than twenty one, I shivered to learn she had many a son. Their names I recall not, save these few so far, Rizal, Bonifacio, and the young Del Pilar. By loving her dearly, brave sons died for her, While breathing her dear name on dying lips sere; My lady was sobbing her woes to the skies While singing her stories with deep tender sighs. A chilling night wind blew a sharp mighty gust The figure then vanished in streams of stardust, Like shimmering fireflies, the atoms took flight, Once more, silence reigned in the bright starry night.

Sonnet To A Philippine Urn by Luz D. Navarro O antique vase, yours is the priceless cost, Embodiment of all I treasure most, Let Keats extol his lovely Grecian urn, But let my thoughts, to you, in fondness, turn. In you, I see bright beauty of my land, Blue sweep of sky where arching bamboos bend. Green isles with cities, barrios, fields of grain, Warmed by its sun and kissed by gentle rain. Brown Clay, the Potter shaped from richest mold, For freedom's sake, you fought with heart so bold! Your spirit fired your countrymen to fight, To break the yoke, to curb the Spanish might. All Filipinos honor your dear name--- Great Plebian of the Katipunan fame. (Andres Bonifacio organized the Philippine Revolution against Spain who colonized the Philippines for 300 years since Ferdinand Magellan discovered the islands in 1521 until 1896 uprising of the revolutionists headed by Bonifacio.)

Wanderer's Song by Luz D. Navarro Far do I wander away from home, Home where the palms wave high, None do I find though I may roam, Blue as my Philippine sky. Sing me the song of wild pipits, That once more I may see Fair islands for which my sad heart beats, And what they recall to me: Blue, cloud-kissed Mount Arayat And silvery rivers bright, Slender fronds of the coconut Dancing in sheer delight. Fields, painted with sunset glow, Birds twittering on the wing, Palay bending with grains below, Waiting for harvesting. Strum me kundiman airs, That I may feel once more, Sweet kiss of amihan air That blow on my native shore. To beautiful, far away lands I go Over the briny foam, But never and never a land I know Can ever compare with home.

Corps De Ballet by Luz D. Navarro Caught in the magic Haze of light, In all-waving Plumes of green, Airy ballerinas whirl In the misty sheen. Forever flitting And ever flirting To never-ending roulades Of motion and music; Floating in spirals To arabesques of birdsong! Fairy ballerinas, All artistry entrapped In their graceful arcs Of twirls and turns To pirouettes of windsong! Fluttery dancers, Regal in pas de deux, A-tip-toe on air Orange blossom-scented air! Fluidity and grace All melting into one. Falls the night's Final curtain On the sun-drenched Stage of day; From eternity's brink, Fall shimmering stars To drench A happiness crying At the fading away of dancing bamboo leaves! More Poems by Luz Dayrit Navarro

CHANCE by Lettie Catajan Espinelli A million or a thousand more, Should we measure Time unfolding? If what it brings are dreams fulfilled, If what it heals are wounds that bleed. If what it mends are hearts that break, If what it hides are tears unshed. TIME we should not measure, If it forgets our mindless acts, If it seals words that may hurt, If it finds a love long lost, If it wakens a heart that hopes. TIME does not need not matter If it could turn itself around, And give again a chance to love, Or live again a life for GOD!