To Rizal by G. Burce Bunao

Many poems have been written about Rizal. Here is one dedicated to him by a young admirer. It is optimistic in the sense that the writer tells of the fight for freedom being carried on by our heroes after Rizal.

Here is the poem:

Not unshaken by the wailing waves
And yet unshattered all through stern and bow,
Here on the shore of Peace for which it craves
The ship has come from shadowed oceans now.

But you, my skipper are not here to see
The port to which you taught us steer the ship;
Some tyrant hands had snatched you from midsea
And hurled your body on Death's finger tip

Until the hero's blood from out your heart
That fed the firm conviction of your mind
Dropped on the surging see like many a dart.

But then we would not turn nor lag behind,
For every drop of blood that stained the path
Engendered hope, and strength, and vengeful wrath.