The Spouse

by Luis G. Dato

Luis G. Dato (1906) Region 5 – Camarines Sur

Luis G. Dato was born in Camarines Sur in 1906. As a student, he became interested in
poetry. He published his first book, Filipino Poetry, in 1924. This was the first anthology of
Filipino poems in English. He published his own poem in Manila. A Collection of
Verses(1926). He preferred to write sonnets. The smooth rhythm of his verse is similar to
Longfellow’s poetry. In 1936, Luis G. Dato published My Book of Verses. Jose Garcia Villa
has included two of his poems, Day on the Farm and The Spouse in A Doveglion Book of
Philippine Poetry(1962).

Rose in her hand, and moist eyes young with weeping,

She stands upon the threshold of her house,
Fragrant with scent that wakens love from sleeping,
She looks far down to where her husband plows.

Her hair dishevelled in the night of passion,

Her warm limbs humid with the sacred strife,
What may she know but man and woman fashion,
Out of the day of wrath and sorrow, life?

She holds no joy beyond the day’s tomorrow,

She finds no worlds beyond his arm’s embrace,
She looks upon the Form behind the furrow,
Who is her Mind, her Motion, Time and Space.

Oh, somber mystery of eyes unspeaking,

And dark enigma of Life’s loves forlorn,
The sphinx beside the river smiles with seeking,
the secret answer since the world was born.