Air Castles

AUTHOR’S
BACKGROUND

Juan Francisco Salazar


He was born on June 21,1889, in San Roque ,
Cavite. He studied in the public school of Sta.
Cruz, Laguna, and in the Manila High School.
In 1913 he went to Hong Kong to join the staff of the Philippine Republic, a newspaper. Back to the Philippines, he worked as a reporter for both La Democracia and El Renacimiento
Filipino. In 1915 he left for the United States and became a feature writer of The
Sacramento Union. In “Air Castles”, he speaks of an ambitious poetic vision.

Unlocking of Difficulties
B__KO__
Movement of head, hand or eye for a signal.
 D _ _ L
Secluded dale
 E N T _ R _ N _ D
To give a throne; to exalt
 G _ O P_
To feel one’s way as in the dark
 C _ R _ N _ T
A small crown worn by princess


AIR CASTLES
My life’s tomorrow beckons me
From distant mountains high and low;
My future seems a boundless sea,
Where moving passions come and go. Deep in my heart ambition dwells;
He cheers me up the highland,
And guide me through the hills and dells
Where I pass the busy day. I cannot write with Shakespeare’s pen,
But I can love with Shakespeare’s heart;
I love his skill his craft of men,
His mastery of poet’s art.

I do not care for fame, as he,
Enthroned was like unto a god:
The depths he reached are dark to me.
But I will grope the ways he tried.
I wear achievement’s coronet.
For best are they who see things done!
And all my cares I soon forget
When I have wrought my work alone. If I be met by adverse fate,
And all my dreams but in vain;
Then, must I work the harder yet
With high resolve to try again.