Ramon G. Palanca

Las Vegas, Nevada

I am a Filipino, married to a wonderful wife, from Memphis Tennessee, named Janice and have two sons. I graduated from San Beda College in Manila (BCS) in (1954). I finished high school at Ateneo de Manila (1949). My father Carlos Palanca Sr. was the "alcohol king" of the Philippines (1927). After his death in 1950, our family established the "Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature" which is now in its 47th year. In my mother's side, Rosa Gonzales, we have a relative, Poet Laureate named Florentino Collantes, whose poem was immortalized in a Filipino Song. He was also a novelist and wrote for publications. Poetry came to me in Oregon, in those quiet moments with nature where my conscious mind allowed my subconscious to emerge and deliver all my poems. It has continued to this day. I have received 8 Editor's Choice Awards and have been featured in 8 Sound of Poetry tapes. I was also nominated for poet of the year 1996.

The Journey

Youth ... thou hast succumbed to time!
Thine eyes, as thy steps shortened.
Thy memory, forsaken!
Where is thy strength of yesteryears,
When spring, brought flowers everywhere?
Today, there's nothing, but moan and groan;
And medications for the morrow!
Where has everything gone?
Like love lost from a heart, youth elopes apart.
Even the candle threatens not to rekindle.
Hush! Lo and behold! Thou shalt succeed!

Though the end of the day is not too distant,
When night falls, do dream of dreams,
Not "what flesh is heir to,"
But ... dreams, when thou were in the fields
Chasing butterflies and rainbows!
Fear not, the sound of distant drums;
They are but reminders to our soul
When we shed this vehicle that encapsulates our life,
We will cross the unknown river, where the soul
Will receive its just punishment or reward.
Fear then, what thou do in this life;
But do not fear death! ----
For death brings us another life,
As a seed dies in the ground,
New life springs forth from its death;
Do thou not see how beautiful are its blossoms?
Sniff its fragrance .... and touch its petals!

Withered Flower

Withered flower,
Falling prey to time and elements,
Resisting the majesty of the burning sun;
But soon must fall,
From the branch to the earth,
And slowly turn into dust.

Once did she bloom with beauty,
Beholden to the eyes of men.
But she already served her purpose.
Gone even the bees and butterflies;
Flapping their wings merrily!

Her once dominant beauty gone,
Yet remain in my memory.
In my heart, I know
Spring will come again next year.
There, I hope to see,
There, I hope to be?

The Roses

O beautiful roses,
How difficult it is
To climb thy summit;
Thorned is the path,
I must trespass,
To reach thine height;
To sniff thy fragrance,
And know thine elegance.