A ‘wonderful’ blog

Rare Gem of a Poem

I AM PLEASANTLY SURPRISED to learn that my good ole friend Dominic Cimafranca, with whom I just got reunited with via Blogosphere [visit his blog, Village Idiot Savant], is also into poetry.  It is a big surprise because I don’t know too many geeks (and Dom is a certified triple platinum geek) who are into poetry.  It is a pleasant surprise because I am also into poetry, although mildly.  So that makes two of us.

Which brings me to the title of this blog.

I visited Tacloban for the very first time about a year ago (Nov 2007) to attend a business conference conducted by my company.  We stayed in a hotel in Tacloban that will easily pass for a museum with its rich memorabilia of WW2 photos and relics.    Aside from being a geek and a “mild” poet I am also a “war freak” so it was such a treat for me.

A framed poem on the hotel’s lobby caught my attention.  It is a poem written by the mother of the famous Gen. Douglas MacArthur.  I’ve pored through lots of materials on Gen. Douglas MacArthur but I haven’t seen this one until that day in Tacloban.  Here it is…

A Letter to Gen. Douglas MacArthur

Do you know that your soul

is of my soul such a part

that you seem to be fiber

and care of my heart?

None other can pain me

as you, son, can do;

nor other can please me

or praise me as you.

Remember the world will

be quick with its blame

if shadow or shame ever

darken your name.

Like mother, like son,

is saying so true

the world will judge largely

of mother by you.

Be this then your task

if task it shall be

To face this proud world

to do homage to me.

Be sure it will say,

when its verdict you won

“She reaps as she sowed;

this man is her son!”

- Mrs. Arthur MacArthur

PS> Hi Dom, please say hello to Darlene for me, too.  Of course my dughter is pretty! ;-D

Tags: history, parenthood, poetry