the last frontier: Rowing Upstream

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Rowing Upstream

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past" - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott

Fitzgerald In this immortal work we are reminded of the primeval desire to go eastward, towards the green light that defines our lives, that, inspite of ourselves and our failings, our upstream voyage brings us to a destination far more incomprehensible and distant than all our journeys combined - ourselves...

rauleramos,md

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welcome!

If you love books
If you love trees
If you love poetry
If you believe in Henry David Thoreau
If you walk in the rain without an umbrella
If you don't like zoos and manicured gardens
but treasure moss, ferns, and lichens
If the smell of freshly fallen rain on parched earth is sweet to you
If a germinating seed thrills your imagination
If grass in concrete cracks gives you joy
If you are fiercely loyal to the sun and the wind and the springs of life
If you believe philosophy is not dead
Then this niche is for you...
©2007 Raul Espinoza Ramos 6 May 2007 Cabanatuan City

KUNG TUYO NA ANG LUHA MO, AKING BAYAN by Amado V. Hernandez

Lumuha ka, aking Bayan; buong lungkot mong iluha
Ang kawawang kapalaran ng lupain mong kawawa:
Ang bandilang sagisag mo’y lukob ng dayong bandila, Pati wikang minana mo’y busabos ng ibang wika,
Ganito ring araw nang agawan ka ng laya,
Labintatlo ng Agosto nang saklutin ang Maynila,

Lumuha ka, habang sila ay palalong nagdiriwang,
Sa libingan ng maliit, ang malaki’y may libingan;
Katulad mo ay si Huli, naaliping bayad-utang,
Katulad mo ay si Sisa, binaliw ng kahirapan;
Walang lakas na magtanggol, walang tapang na lumaban,
Tumataghoy, kung paslangin; tumatangis, kung nakawan!

Iluha mo ang sambuntong kasawiang nagtalakop
Na sa iyo’y pampahirap, sa banyaga’y pampalusog:
Ang lahat mong kayamana’y kamal-kamal na naubos,
Ang lahat mong kalayaa’y sabay-sabay na natapos;
Masdan mo ang iyong lupa, dayong hukbo’y nakatanod,
Masdan mo ang iyong dagat, dayong bapor, nasa laot!

Lumuha ka kung sa puso ay nagmaliw na ang layon,
Kung ang araw sa langit mo ay lagi nang dapithapon,
Kung ang alon sa dagat mo ay ayaw nang magdaluyong,
Kung ang bulkan sa dibdib mo ay hindi man umuungol,
Kung wala nang maglalamay sa gabi ng pagbabangon,
Lumuha ka nang lumuha’t ang laya mo’y nakaburol.

May araw ding ang luha mo’y masasaid, matutuyo,
May araw ding di na luha sa mata mong namumugto
Ang dadaloy, kundi apoy, at apoy na kulay dugo,
Samantalang ang dugo mo ay aserong kumukulo;
Sisigaw kang buong giting sa liyab ng libong sulo
At ang lumang tanikala’y lalagutin mo ng punglo!

Puff the Magic Dragon

That children should be made to wear oversized adult clothes and shoes and coaxed to utter adult witticisms like a miniature adult in coiffed hair, make-up, and heavy perfume, or long-sleeved shirts and heavy pants just because it is funny or reminds us of ourselves is selfish and immature for we are depriving them of their precious childhood that should otherwise be spent catching spiders, picking flowers and fruits, fishing, playing hide and seek...not in the rigid walls of pre-school where they are prematurely ushered into the claws of a tyrannical education, pretentious, hypocritical, and materialistic, a real modern day malady...

Raul E Ramos 17 Jan 2008

From Both Sides Now

"Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all"
- by Joni Mitchell

Immortal Lines

"The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself." ( Book II, Chapter 2, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky)

Today

"Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries,
I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I'll forget all the joy that is mine today
I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover
You'll know who I am by the song that I sing
I'll feast at your table,
I'll sleep in your clover
Who cares what tomorrow shall bring?
Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries,
I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I'll forget all the joy that is mine today
I can't be contented with yesterday's glory
I can't live on promises winter to spring
Today is my moment and now is my story
I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing
Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries,
I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
Ere I'll forget all the joy that is mine today"
-words and music by Randy Sparks

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble,
it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
- Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

Woodman, Spare That Tree!

Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now. 'Twas my forefather's hand That placed it near his cot: There, woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it not! That old familiar tree, Whose glory and renown Are spread o'er land and sea, And wouldst thou hew it down? Woodman, forbear thy stroke! Cut not its earth-bound ties; Oh, spare that aged oak, Now towering to the skies! When but an idle boy I sought its grateful shade; In all their gushing joy Here too my sisters played. My mother kissed me here; My father pressed my hand -- Forgive this foolish tear, But let that old oak stand! My heart-strings round thee cling, Close as thy bark, old friend! Here shall the wild-bird sing, And still thy branches bend. Old tree! the storm still brave! And, woodman, leave the spot: While I've a hand to save, Thy axe shall harm it not. George Pope Morris (1802-1864)

ramos farm, macatbong, cabanatuan city, philippines

my fascination with seeds dates back to my childhood days when my cousins and i would explore the basement of our house in hagonoy, bulacan looking for coins and curios that accidentally fall from the bamboo floor slats. being the smallest and the least aggressive i had to content myself with leftovers - mostly germinating dalanghita (native oranges) seeds. this turned out to be a fortuitous event for it awakened a lifelong interest in plants. even the smell of crushed citrus rinds evokes memories of this fortunate experience for which i am very thankful. seed collection projects and "bring this plant" assignments in my elementary and high school days reinforced this nidus of fascination. the towering narra, mahogany, eucalyptus, and many other tree species in macatbong are mute witnesses to this lifelong passion... raulespinozaramos 15may2007 cabanatuan city

the last frontier

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Rowing Upstream

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