José Franco (Calobre, March 24, 1936 - Las tablas, May 9, 2022) was a poet from Panama. Life and career Early years Born in Calobre, a city in the Province of Veraguas of Panama. Adulthood Served Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay Literary works Smilla en Flor, 3 editions (1973–1985) La Sangre Derramada (1984) Una Cruz Verde en el Camino (1979) Coplas y Fábulas a Pelusa (199) Redobles al Amanecer (1977) Horas Testimoniales (1976) Poemas a mi Patria (1975) Patria Sagrada (1974) Dormir con los Muertos (1974) Cantares a la Revolución (1972) Proyecto de la Constitución Política de la República de Panamá (1972) Patria de Dolor y Llanto (1961) Panamá Defendida, 20 editions (1958–1989) Sollozos Anónimos (1955) El Panteón de los Callejones (1990) Las Luciérnagas de la Muerte (1992) Awards 1985 - The National Award for Journalism (Seccion Columna) 1984 - The National Award for Journalism (for an Editorial) 1979 - The Ricardo Miró National Poetry Award for "Una Cruz Verde en el Camino" 1976 - The Ricardo Miró National Theater Award for "Redobles al Amanecer" 1975 - The Ricardo Miró national Poetry Award for "Horas Testimoniales" 1964 - The National Poetry Award (Honorable Mention) for "Panamá Defendida" 1965 - The National Literary Award for "Décimas a mi Patria" 1956 - The Bellas Artes Award of the Ministry of Education for "Sollozos Anónimos" 1947 - The Student Federation of Panama Award References Franco, José. "Las Luciernagas de la Muerte." Editorial Universitaria, Panama: 1995. . 1931 births Panamanian poets Panamanian male writers Male poets Panamanian journalists Male journalists Panamanian novelists Male novelists 20th-century Panamanian lawyers Ambassadors of Panama to Argentina Ambassadors of Panama to Uruguay Ambassadors of Panama to Paraguay Living people