Me Piden Versos
A Presentation on the Poem by Dr. Jose Rizal
Group Members:
ICE BREAKER QUESTIONS
1. A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and
structure -TNSOEN
2. A Japanese poem with three lines of 5, 7, and 5
syllables. -KIUAH
3. A humorous poem with five lines and a specific
rhyme scheme. -IRCLIMEK
4. Poetry that does not follow a strict rhyme
scheme or meter. -EERF SVREE
5. A poem that tells a story. - IRANVTEAR
Historical Context of “ Me Piden Versos “
"Me Piden Versos" is a poem written by Jose Rizal in October 1882.
Rizal was part of the Propaganda Movement, a group of Filipino
intellectuals advocating for reforms in the Philippines under Spanish
colonial rule.
The poem was written at the request of Rizal’s friends in the Circulo
Hispano-Filipino
The poem was first declaimed by Rizal at the New Year's Eve
reception of the Madrid Filipinos held in 1882.
It was later published on March 31, 1889, in the newspaper La
Solidaridad.
Why Did Rizal Write " Me Piden Versos"?
Dr. Jose Rizal write this poem as a reflection of his deep
emotions, patriotism, and longing for his homeland. The poem was
written during his time in Madrid, Spain, where he was actively
engaged in studying and advocating for reforms in the Philippines.
Here are the key reasons why Rizal wrote the poem:
Homesickness and Nostalgia
Reflection on His Role as a Poet
Nationalism and Advocacy
Melancholy and Personal Sentiment
" Me Piden Versos " (They Ask Me for Verses)
They bid me strike the lyre so Piden que pulse la lira Ha tiempo
long now mute and broken, but callada y rota: Si ya no arranco
not a note can I waken nor will una nota Ni mi musa ya me inspira!
my muse inspire! Shen Balbuce fria y delira Si la tortura
stammers coldly and babbles mi mente; Cuando rie solo miente;
when tortured by my mind; she Como miente su lamento: Y es que
lies when she laughs and thrills en mi triste aislamiento Mi alma ni
as she lies in her lamentation, goza ni siente
for in my sad isolation my soul
nor frolics nor feels.
There was a time, ‘is true, but Hubo un tiempo...y es verdad!
now that time has vanished Pero ya aquel tiempo huyo, En
when indulgent love or que vate me llamo La
friendship called me a poet too. indulgencia a la amistad. Ahora
Now of that time there lingers de aquella edad El recuerdo
hardly a memory, as from a apensas resta Como quendan
celebration some mysterious de una fiesta Los misteriosos
refrain that haunts the ears sonidos Que retienen los
will refrain that haunts the oisidos Del bullicio de la
ears will remain of the orquestra.
orchestra’s actuation
A scarce-grown plant I seem Soy planta apenas crecida
uproot from the Orient, where Arrancada del Oriente, Donde es
perfume is the atmosphere and perfume el ambiente, Donde es un
where perfume is the atmosphere sueno la vida: Patria que jamas
and where life is a dream. O land se olvida! Ensenaronme a cantar
that is never forgotten! And Las aves, con su trinar; Con su
these have taught me to sing: rumor, las cascadas; Y en sus
the birds with their force and, playas dilatadas, Los murmurios
on the swollen shores shores, de la mar.
the murmuring of the sea.
While in my childhood days I Mientras en la infancia mia Pude
could smile upon her sunshine, I a su sol sonreir, Dentro de mi
felt in my bosom, seething, a pecho hervir Volcan de fuego
fierce volcano ablaze. A poet sentia; Vate fui, porque queria
was I, for I wanted with my Con mis versos, con mi aliento,
verses, with my breath, to say Decir al rapido viento: Vuela; su
to the swift wind: “Fly and fama pregona! Cantala de zona
propagate her renown! Praise en zona; De la tierra al
her from zone to zone, from firmamento!
earth up to the sky!”
I left her! My native hearth, a La deje! ...mis patrios lares.
tree despoiled and shriveled, no Arbol despojados y seco! Ya no
longer repeats the echo of my repiten el eco De mis pasados
old songs of mirth. I sailed cantares Yo cruce los vastos
across the vast ocean, craving mares Ansiando cambiar de
to change my fate, not noting, suerte, Y mi locura no advierte
in my madness, that, instead of Que en vez del bien que buscaba,
the weal I sought, the sea El mar conmigo surcaba El
around me wrought the spectre espectro de la muerte.
of death and sadness
The dreams of younger hours, Toda mis hermosa ilusion, Amor,
love, enthusiasm, desire, have Entusiasmo, anhelo, Alla quedan
been left there under the skies bajo el cielo De tan florida region:
of that fair land of flowers. Oh, No pidais al corazon Cantos de
do not ask of my heart that amor, que esta yerto; Porque en
languishes, songs of love! For, medio del desierto Donde discurro
as without peace I tread this sin calma, Siento que agoniza el
desert of no surprises, I feel alma Y mi numen esta muerto.
that my soul agonizes and that
my spirit is dead
Photos of Rizal from 1873, age 12 as a student at the Ateneo Municipal
till 1896 when he was shot dead in Bagumbayan at age 35
Literary Analysis of "Me Piden Versos"
There are many different types of poems, each with its
own unique form and style.Here are a few of the most
common types:
Sonnet: A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme
and structure.
Haiku: A Japanese poem with three lines of 5, 7, and 5
syllables.
Limerick: A humorous poem with five lines and a specific
rhyme scheme.
Free verse: Poetry that does not follow a strict
rhyme scheme or meter.
Narrative: A poem that tells a story.
Significance to Our Nation’s History
Struggles Under Spanish Rule
“Me Piden Versos” reflects Rizal’s sadness and longing for freedom,
symbolizing the struggles of Filipinos under Spanish oppression
Awakening National Consciousness
Rizal uses poetry to express the pain of his people and inspire
Filipinos to yearn for independence.
Timeless Themes
National identity and pride
Love and sacrifice for the country
Relevance in facing modern challenges
Conclusion:
Jose Rizal’s poem “Me Piden Versos” expresses his
patriotism, homesickness, and sadness. Written in 1882
while in Madrid, it reflects his longing for the Philippines
and his role as a voice for freedom. The poem uses powerful
imagery to show the hardships of Filipinos under Spanish
rule, inspiring pride and the desire for independence.
It captures the struggle between joy and the pain
of oppression, turning Rizal’s personal feelings
into a message of hope and action. The poem
remains meaningful today, highlighting themes of
love, sacrifice, and national identity.
References
They ask me for verses! (2019, February 4). JoseRizal.com. https://www.joserizal.com/they-ask-me-for-verses/
Timbol, F. (2013, August 28). Mi piden versos [Slide show]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/mi-piden-
versos/25677614?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0ZSZZBk1joPvEgBe3y6miv0JbAUNMY9TD6XmOJWF-
dJORhcaK_yh_qee8_aem_syaFwOxpERd7pIiiNE0MTg#5
Jose Rizal from 12 to 35: Photos of Rizal ‘from cradle to grave’ resurface on the Internet. (n.d.). Philstar Life.
https://philstarlife.com/geeky/133018-jose-rizal-from-12-to-35-photos-cradle-to-grave
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/batangas-state-university-lipa-campus/life-and-works-of-rizal/they-ask-
me-for-verses/47272687
Thank You
