ni Dr.

Jose Rizal
According to his sister Soledad, this
Spanish poem was written by Jose Rizal
when he was only nine years old. Its title is
translated into English as My First
Inspiration.
It was written in 1874, before Rizal was 14
years old, during his days in Ateneo. It was
written for his mother on her birthday. It's
English title is 'My First Inspiration'.
Why falls so rich a spray
of fragrance from the bowers
of the balmy flowers
upon this festive day?

Why from woods and vales
do we hear sweet measures ringing
that seem to be the singing
of a choir of nightingales?

Why in the grass below
do birds start at the wind's noises,
unleashing their honeyed voices
as they hop from bough to bough?

Why should the spring that glows
its crystalline murmur be tuning
to the zephyr's mellow crooning
as among the flowers it flows?
Why seems to me more endearing,
more fair than on other days,
the dawn's enchanting face
among red clouds appearing?

The reason, dear mother, is
they feast your day of bloom:
the rose with its perfume,
the bird with its harmonies.
And the spring that rings with laughter
upon this joyful day
with its murmur seems to say:
"Live happily ever after!"

And from that spring in the grove
now turn to hear the first note
that from my lute I emote
to the impulse of my love!
(A Translation from the Spanish by Nick Joaquin)
MI PRIMERA INSPIRACIN

Porque exhalan a porfa
del cliz dulces olores
las embalsamadas flores
en este festivo da?

Y porqu, en la selva amena,
se oye dulce meloda,
que asemeja la armona
en la arpada filomena?

Porqu en la mullida grama
las aves, al son del viento,
exhalan meloso acento
y saltan de rama en rama,

y la fuente cristalina,
formando dulce murmullo,
del cfiro al suave arrullo
entre las flores camina?

Es que hoy celebran tu da
oh, mi madre cariosa!
con su perfume la rosa
y el ave con su armona.

Y la fuente rumorosa,
en este da felice,
con su murmullo te dice
que vivas siempre gozosa.

Y, de esa fuente al rumor,
oye la primera nota,
que ahora de mi laud brota
al impulso de mi amor.