Diadema Tor Mansour 

California, USA 

Family History: Father--Lucas Cenino Tor; Mother--Cresenciana Bandoquillo Santocildes; Brother--Roberto S. Tor; Brothers and Sisters on Father side--5. I am twice divorced, but I am now married. Personal or Philosophical Statement: To be humble all the time for God teaches that humility is hard but the benevolent God guides. I am a preferred member of The Deferred American Chemical Society. I received the International Platform Association Membership Award, was the Premiere Poet for 1984, and in the Scar of Palestine - 1992 International Platform Poetry Award for "Oh I Love Chicago." I have a BS in Chemistry from the University of Iloilo, Philippines, 1966. I'm a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP 2055). I received an Editor's Choice Award in 1996 and 1997 for "Love and it's Ways" which appeared in "Frost at Midnight" and "Lasting Mirage" as well as an Editor's Choice Award for "I Love You" which was published in "Field's of Gold" respectively in the poetry contest, Owings Mills, MD. Diadema's personal philosophy is "to be humble all the time for God teaches the humble, it is hard but the benevolent God guides."

The Scar Of Palestine 

It was once said to be a paradise, 
With love, children and family thrive, 
With olive trees and faces bright, 
But now cupidity gave its blight. 

It was once said to be a paradise, 
With water clear and clean to drink, 
Invigorating so it quench a thirst, 
But now selfish endeavor gave its tears. 

It was once said to be a paradise. 
With hearts that folks of old described, 
Its beauty cleanse the soul aright, 
But now extreme folly gave it elegiac doom. 

It was once, said to be a paradise, 
With charity, God gave mankind the exponents to grow, 
To teach and to ably nurture the truth ----- 
But lo fractious and berserk soul strive to thwart 
the truth and then --- gave 
its blightful growth. 

It was once said to be a paradise, 
Where, faith and trust were the peoples guide, 
Its magnificence was a priceless sight, 
But now disconsolate tribe gave its lusterless light. 

It was once said to be a paradise, 
Its beauty was so majestic, oh majestically grand! 
With fertile minds hearts, and land as well, 
But now polluted wisdom gave its lamentous hell!! 

It was once said to be a paradise, 
With freedom borne from the great above, 
Its incomparable ecstasy was so sublime, 
But now corrupt endeavor took its freedom so divine. 

Oh paradise lost and people maimed, 
When can you be regained??? 
For bloodshed sought is not your destiny, 
But justice is your peaceful dignity. 

Oh paradise lost and people maimed, 
When can you be regained??? 
For your principles are high and truth remains, 
Yes, you'll fight victoriously and forever be a paradise gain!!!!!!!