Best Orient Poems
"Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan,
hindi makakarating sa paroroonan".
(A person who does not remember where he came from
will never reach his destination).
Filipino proverb.
Gift me wings so I can fly to a blessed land
of emerald isles with an eclectic ecosystem,
admiring an affluence of biodiversity
of tropical exotic fauna and flora,
where turquoise waves wander onto
golden shores of alluring Binitinan,
exploring the coral reefs of Boracay.
A place where childhood dreams fill the air,
where innocence once built sandcastles,
but now all that is left is forgotten footprints -
from ghosts of ancestors.
Let me soar with the Pithecophaga Jefferyi eagle,
through rainforests and Kawasan falls,
where souls are free to roam the motherland's
seven thousand spine-tingling islands,
from Maya bay to Palawan's underground rivers
of enigmatic Puerta Princesa,
until we greet the palm trees of Camiguin -
the valley of volcanoes and the sunken cemetery.
Viewing the Colours of StoBoSa to the
pretty patterns of Ifugao rice terraces,
until we reach the marvels of Luzon,
silently perching upon the zenith of
Mount Pulag's peaks, transcending spiritual
echoes towards Mindanao's Mount Apo,
whispering secretive Tagalog tongues,
in one hundred diasporic dialects,
as iris and marmalade skies welcome sunset,
we'll bathe in the sapphire ripples of Bohol sea.
Then we'll follow radiant night lights,
reaching the bustling streets of Manila,
losing ourselves in the succulent scents
of balut, kwek kwek, taho, halo halo,
as we devour juicy lanzones,
refreshed by a cool breeze,
The pearl of the Orient,
home of Balagtas' Florante at Laura,
dulcet tones of Santiago's Anak Dalita,
where heartfelt hospitality
with rich cultural heritage,
soothe tired eyes gazing at
natural wonders of ancient views,
where vibrant hues leave you breathless.
Donning splendiferous landscapes stretching for miles,
A culture that aptly prides, in bold, welcoming smiles;
A thriving land of islands~ an archipelago evincing awe,
A resplendence of nature, an exclamation of hurrah.
Sandy beaches embrace realms of pristine coastline,
Harboring lush foliage, embodying sublimity divine,
Of marine life, corals, reveling warmth of idyllic clime,
Reminiscent of paradise, of placidity, stilled in time.
Fun loving, amiable, proud tradition extolling grace,
Quaint, yet modern, is the vibrant vibe of this place;
Of museums, antiques, art galleries, buzzing cafe,
Of hotels, casinos, of famed sunsets on Manila Bay.
Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao~ gems of the blue sea,
Living in tranquility, projecting utter beauty and glee;
Islands of hospitality, homeland of a privileged few,
A magnificent portrait, upon sea-canvas nature drew.
Philippines~ an acclaimed, lauded, pearl of the Orient,
Rich in diverse culture, her allure citizens augment,
Pulsating rhythms of hearts and souls, worthy of praise;
A treasure preserved, revered since the ancient days.
We hear the engine whistle
The hissing of the steam
The hairs on our necks begin to bristle
As we meet the arrival of a dream
We didn't think we had a chance of winning
Entering just for fun I guess
but thanks to simple poem we are grinning
As we board the Orient express.
London to Paris, what a dream come true
I never dreamed the sparks would fly between us two
The fireman stokes the boiler; and releases a jet of steam
The guard collects our tickets and we begin our dream
Days and nights together on this magnificent train
Travel through beautiful places, seeing new terrain
Enthralled at the elegance and beauty of the carriage
Will our trip together end up with our marriage
Looking so handsome in your new dinner jacket
Glad you won this holiday; it must have cost a packet
The ambiance of the surroundings is utter bliss
We seal our relationship with a tender kiss
Holding hands so gently we share a vintage wine
Sitting in the Pullman coach you rest your head on mine
Velvet blue sky and shining stars start to cast their spell
The romantic seine has such stories to tell.
In Paris we visit the galleries of fine art
Holding your hand I realise you have captured my heart
We pass through the Arc De Triomphe and climb the Eiffel Tower
Now I surrender to your feminine power
Retire with me to the Napoleon suite
Sharing in the splendour of this romantic treat
Promise to be my Mam'selle Josephine
Or expose my heart to Madame Guillotine
You look so beautiful and smell divine
I kiss your lips, They taste of fine wine
We are lost in the flames of passions fire
As we quench the thirst of true loves desire
Our bodies rise and fall as we entwine
Oh I’m so glad that you are mine
All those feelings denied and for so long suppressed
Come to the fore aboard the Orient express.
Passion abates we are wrapped in each others arms
Darren wants more so I succumb to his great charms
Our fire ignites with desire and great passion
Hour upon hour – this man I can’t ration
Finally we reach the end of the line
Our love making session has been so divine
Arm in arm we head out of the carriage door
So hopelessly in love – who could ask for more
15th April 2014
Jan Allison and Darren Watson - 'JaDazzle'
Please also read my Blog about our collaboration
Surrounded by tranquil turquoise waters,
Guarded on sides by oceans three,
In the east by the Pacific,
On the south by the Celebes Sea,
And on the west by the south China Sea,
There is an archipelago on the blue water crescent,
A group of islands, called Philippines,
Encircled by a girdle of gleaming silver,
With its shores of stretching sandy swell
That lulls the restless waves to sleep;
A land of green vegetation and terraced terrain!
It houses picturesque and breath-taking views.
Vast beaches of ivory sand sprawl before our eyes
Dolphins leap over seafoam, palm fronds wink
Soft breezes waft and cotton clouds float above.
Anyone will fall in love with these tiny strips of land,
Of rugged hills and meandering rivers
Of placid backwaters and blue skies
Of gibbering monkeys and celestial monarch birds,
Of strutting peacocks, pigeons, pheasants, and parrots.
The powdery white sand of Boracay
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol
The Caraballo Mountain ranges,
And the Cordillera Mountain chain of Luzon,
The Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras
All these give the country a solemn investiture.
Volcanic peaks, standing mighty and tall,
Proudly line the landscape, dotted with dense forests
Where birds sing melodies and Tarsiers with bug eyes
The tiny primates, endemic to the Philippines roam and jump
Amid the slumbering hills, there is fecund soil,
Turned into orchards and plantations,
Its population with perseverance and patience
Work in the soil relentlessly and in unison.
Well known for their hospitality, they receive tourists,
And outsiders with warmth and camaraderie.
In this paradise of mixed fortunes, tragedy comes unforeseen,
In the form of natural calamities like typhoons and cyclones,
But nothing can tear the people apart and they prosper,
With resilience, bent on sustaining their tradition,
Adding value to it each day and proud of an identity of their own
This beautiful land of velvet waves and crystal sands
Lying as a pendant in a crescent of emerald cluster
Rightly deserves the title- the 'Pearl of the Orient'
Philippines, my country of birth,
one of the countries in Southeast Asia.
It is an archipelago or group of islands,
with more than seven thousand islands.
Luzon, the largest island in the northern
part of the country, is where I was born
and where Manila, the capital is located.
Manila, the city known as Pearl of the Orient.
Magellan, the Portuguese explorer for Spain
claimed the archipelago in fifteen hundred
twenty one, named the islands Las Felipinas
or The Philippines, after King Phillip II of Spain.
Philippines was colonized more than three
hundred years, from fifteen hundred sixty five
until eighteen hundred ninety eight and ruled
under Mexico-based Viceroyalty of New Spain.
Manila was called Pearl of the Orient Seas
by the historian/Jesuit priest Juan Jose Delgado
in seventeen hundred fifty one for being a way
of sea transactions during Asian trade of goods.
However, in Jose Rizal’s poem “My Last Farewell,”
he wrote before his execution by the Spanish
government for rebellion through his writings,
he stated his country as Pearl of the Orient.
So, Philippines, the country and not Manila,
the city became known as Pearl of the Orient,
upon the discovery of his poem after his execution
in December thirty, eighteen hundred ninety six.
Philippines is known as Pearl of the Orient for
its strategic location in Asia, rich biodiversity or
different kinds of plants and animals, natural
resources and its natural beauty and splendor.
The Spanish Crown called it Pearl of the Orient
for the country was a precious source of spices,
other resources and trade of goods, even prior to
their colonization to acquire a share in spice trade.
Philippines’ natural gem is south sea pearls
and it is renowned for cultivating south sea pearls.
The famous pearl in the country, known as The Pearl
of Lao Tzu, was considered the largest known pearl.
The pearl weighed fourteen pounds, found by a
Filipino diver in nineteen thirty four and later, a giant
pearl, the Pearl of Puerto weighing seventy five pounds,
found by a fisherman, both discovered in Palawan Island.
No doubt why The Philippines is called Pearl of the Orient,
the two biggest pearls were found in Palawan, Philippines.
Isn’t that the most obvious, sensible reason? I wonder……
Well, what do you think?...... Just asking……
Pearl of the Orient Seas surely am I
in my strategic geographical position
Heralding beauty and glory bestowed
by the Almighty along my precious history
Influenced with varied cultures indeed
blest with unique identity of global impact
Liberty-led, I’m propelled by my great
citizens, surely freedom loving…
Independence prevails over me, conquered
by my heroes of valor and integrity
Propped upon truth of sovereignty
securing our territory with peace…
Philippines am I, verily dear, prospered
priceless gem to my treasured people
Imparting to them my God-blest*
of grand purpose and functional interest
Nourishing every citizen with ideals
upheld by constitutional nurture
Effectively delivering services through
officials who are responsibly efficient…
Settled am I as shining pearl to the
world marked by my FILIPINOS’ stature!
*Psalm 33:12 King James Version 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...
February 10, 2024
Personification in Acrostic form
1st place, "Pearl of the Orient" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Jcb Brul; judged on 2/25/2024
Seven thousand islands grace the shore
as narra trees arise , sun -dressed
with ripples humming a native folksong--
gracious the womenfolk, caressed
by Philippine beaches ever idyllic--
and exotic garlands spill from their baskets
crowning fiestas with decorative wares.
And boatmen wave to relish town’s gaiety
the canoes sailing in May's fluvial parade;
when wavelets of joy twirls, animated
along dewy coastlines… such heritage bears
the name reflecting its grandeur, 'Pearl of the Orient.'
My dawn and night broth, this homeland
where birthmark prints…a natural wonder of the world!
(your) Country 'tis of thee' Contest
Sponsor: Brahn Bailey Edited 9/3/2018
We hear the engine whistle
The hissing of the steam
The hairs on our necks begin to bristle
As we meet the arrival of a dream
We didn't think we had a chance of winning
Entering just for fun I guess
but thanks to simple poem we are grinning
As we board the Orient express.
London to Paris, what a dream come true
I never dreamed the sparks would fly between us two
The fireman stokes the boiler; and releases a jet of steam
The guard collects our tickets and we begin our dream
Days and nights together on this magnificent train
Travel through beautiful places, seeing new terrain
Enthralled at the elegance and beauty of the carriage
Will our trip together end up with our marriage
Looking so handsome in your new dinner jacket
Glad you won this holiday; it must have cost a packet
The ambiance of the surroundings is utter bliss
We seal our relationship with a tender kiss
Holding hands so gently we share a vintage wine
Sitting in the Pullman coach you rest your head on mine
Velvet blue sky and shining stars start to cast their spell
The romantic seine has such stories to tell.
In Paris we visit the galleries of fine art
Holding your hand I realise you have captured my heart
We pass through the Arc De Triomphe and climb the Eiffel Tower
Now I surrender to your feminine power
Retire with me to the Napoleon suite
Sharing in the splendour of this romantic treat
Promise to be my Mam'selle Josephine
Or expose my heart to Madame Guillotine
You look so beautiful and smell divine
I kiss your lips, They taste of fine wine
We are lost in the flames of passions fire
As we quench the thirst of true loves desire
Our bodies rise and fall as we entwine
Oh I’m so glad that you are mine
All those feelings denied and for so long suppressed
Come to the fore aboard the Orient express.
Passion abates we are wrapped in each other’s arms
Darren wants more so I succumb to his great charms
Our fire ignites with desire and great passion
Hour upon hour – this man I can’t ration
Finally we reach the end of the line
Our love making session has been so divine
Arm in arm we head out of the carriage door
So hopelessly in love – who could ask for more
Written By Jan Allison & Darren Watson
15th April 2014
Dearest beloved country,
Treasured land of the sun,
The pearl of the orient seas.
Giver of my blood and spirit.
To you my heart do sing.
Dearest country of hope and dreams,
My glory is yours till now
As I highly keep your splendour and beauty.
Tru your lilies and roses
I'll take my flesh and body.
I'll baptist my spirit in your glorious water,
The orient seas, source of all gift.
I'll hold my race, keep it strong,
My Malay crimson of bravest heroes,
Who fought for freedom, they gave you.
The best thing that I'll hold for you alone.
Within your thousands heavenly islands,
I'll shout your radiance and honour.
Within your abundant eternal skylines,
I'll fly to the crescent stars and sun.
Dearly beloved treasured loving land,
To you I want to keep my heart.
Dearly beloved treasured loving sand,
Let my body give you more fertile ground.
Magis
Sent from East
With presents on hand
Wishing, walking with glued hand
By land traveled from Orient far
Praying, bowing before the mightiest Star
Never before in a lifetime
the World changed half-time
Like magic under spell
World rejoiced where true believers dwell
Philippine is the shining Pearl of the Orient Sea,
Famous for its boundless natural wealth and beauty;
Land where many noble heroes bravely fought for us to be free,
I'm proud to embrace my beloved homeland’s great history.
When Spaniards came first to our beloved archipelago,
Enamored by great sources of spices and goods in richness’ flow,
Spanish Jesuits priest named it, “Perla Del Mar De Oriente,”
For its lands’ treasures and sea pearls, wasn’t it dolce?
Its beautiful name keeps echoing from east to west,
Along with other, “the region of the rising sun caressed”
Written and portrayed in one of the poems of Dr. Jose Rizal,
Our national hero whose achievements and patriotism were colossal.
Philippine is the sweetest land of the morning,
Its biodiversity's generous provision is fervor burning;
With its most hospitable, very friendly and hardworking people,
All visitors are welcome to sojourn in our land as home for all.
Come and visit many tourist’s wonders and amazing sceneries,
In Island of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, both provinces and cities;
It's more fun in the Philippines, so you all come,
We offer best places for holidays- so relaxing, fabulous and awesome!
A
chinook
silently
melts the lying
snow
When I see your eyes,
I read one hundred and one Arabian nights,
When I see you, I see the shadow of Baghdadi genies,
I see the magical floating carpets...
Flying the sandy dune-like divine bullets,
Racing with stars and more...
Your light. Your radiant sparkling eyes paralleled,
With Aladdin's lamps and more,
Your light. Sided the ones in the sky,
With the comet and co, just when i see you,
When i see your hips and swing walk,
Tasting your deeps,
And caressing you and your Garden of Eden,
You're forbidden apples, mango-like,
Touching with style,
Your strawberry lips,
Your olive eyes,
Your Carobian, frizzy hair,
Your longer neck...
And kissing with tenderness,
Your crystal clear-like poll,
I must admit,
And confess to the living world and planet,
That your beauty and look worth keeping,
In esoteric lore-book,
Forever and more.
(Sing along to the carol, "We Three Kings...")
We three Kings of Orient aren't,
Really three queens, we came from afar,
We arrived on time,
Fed sheep and swine,
Delivered the afterbirth,
Cooked food, and then made Peace on Earth, Oh......
(Sing Chorus)...
Star of wonder, star of light,
Star of royal beauty bright,
We didn't get lost going home,
We didn't leave Mary all alone,
We swept the stable,
Gave her soup in a ladle,
After the afterbirth,
Then we made Peace on Earth, OH...
(Sing chorus)..
We three Kings of Orient aren't,
Really three queens, we came from afar,
We arrived on time,
Fed sheep and swine,
Delivered the baby at the birth,
Then we made Peace on Earth, Oh....
(Sing chorus)..
Traveling miles to the desert coast-
free golden Arabia.
I felt the snowy humid air,
her dusty wind.
Encircled with her thousand luxury cars,
I begun to miss thee;
motherland.
O thy palms so sturdy and luster green
That smiled at me,
sited in a warm cushioned floor.
Let thy beauties drive me home,
To the breeze of summer wind
and her marvelous rains.
To thy tallest structures of concrete sandstone
That keep the dust
out my breathe.
Let me sleep unconsciously and free,
as if I'm inside
the safety of the hut of my dearest ancestors.
To thy mountainous desert sand,
Let me travel thy terrain
without exhaustion.
For my motherland whom given me sweetest memories;
Caressing the lonely
heart full of my tears.
Let the sadness of thy maiden,
inside that mourning black gown;
Never make my ladies and women fade.
Let thy closed heart open the promises
To the smiling eastern world;
to our fair cultured love.
O hold me,
they called purest creation-
Made the most important
and beloved by god.
Through my heart that speaks for thee;
We live the love inside our hearts,
For bountiful happiness
and joy.
For I know,
even if I'm within the longest line-
this widest roads,
The end will not come unconsciously in time.
Hope to hold her hand
and find her comfort and smile,
Beloved motherland;
Splendor of my views and unending devotions.
Be free as the stars in the sky.