I thought it was a beautiful poem and both I and Omar, who did the translation, enjoy the role that words play in our lives. When they are beautifully written and heartfelt, they are very moving.

Thank you for writing and thanks also to whoever sent you the link to my blog.

Don Ray

To you and the translator my heartfelt thanks for letting a wider audience know about my father’s love for his native land, beautifully expressed in his poetry. In addition to being a poet, he was a journalist and had a very popular radio broadcast. His articles were straightforward; he was never afraid to criticize the wrongdoings of anyone or of the government.

For your information, he also designed the flag of Chiriqui, proudly displayed throughout the province.

Again, thank you for your tribute to my late father.

Sincerely,
Leda

I have corrected it in the post. Thanks for bring it to my attention.

However, Don, the author of the write-up you cited could benefit from a little map study:
“(Chiriquí), the easternmost territory of the Republic”

BTW, nice site, Omar; I saved it, and thanks. Going right now to update firefox and send the frog joke to friends.

James
Another faithful reader, among the many appreciative “Chiriqui Chatter” fans.

I appreciate it and I am sure others will as well. Omar is a faithful reader of Chiriquí Chatter. He has his own blog which you can get to by clicking his name before his comment. He follows technology, interesting English situations and other items that happen to catch hi interest. His native language is Spanish, but his blog is in English and it shows what an excellent English student he was.

In an effort to help your English-speaking readers understand this beautiful and emotional poem, I’ve decided to accept your assignment. The is a free translation and is vulnerable to errors, so please bear with me.

“Upon My Return

With what pleasure I arrive at your bosom,
productive and green, my Chiriquí valley,
where the fire of your dazing sun
I only conceive a sun of liberty.

My heart is burning with living joy
as I return to my noble home,
while the regional muse brings back the sweet and native snail.

Once more my breath awakens its inner beats,
where my intimate songs vibrate
as well as the yearnings that lie within my chest.

For now I’m able to begin my flight,
and blend with the blue sky
above the fields of my beloved land.

At last I have before my eyes
your fertile hills and plains,
the emerald green of your fields,
and the crystalline pools of your rivers.

And I contemplate your bountiful crops
fenced by orange groves and palm trees,
and in the midst of your peaceful slopes,
like a nest of love: the huts.

Oh, Valley of the Moon, dearest land!
Nostalgic, sick and tired,
today I come close to the foot of your mountains….

Far away, I have thought of you night and day;
I can never forget you, my beloved land,
because I always keep you deep inside of me!

…And I will sing as long as it proudly shines
the splendid sun from up above
the great Baru to the immense plains,
to tell the world with pride
that not in its glories I base my faith,
but that my greatest glory is: BEING A CHIRICANO.

Santiago Anguizola Delgado”

Indeed this is a man very proud of his motherland. This is a beautiful piece of lyrical poetry. Thank you for including it in your site, Don.

Regards,

Omar.-