Ay Cuba
Los derechos se toman, no se piden;
se arrancan, no se mendigan.
José Martí
a Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz
Le llegó la muerte al viejo revolucionario
extinguiendo lo que le quedaba del puro
dejándole la cachucha militar
para que no le pusieran laureles
que le molestaran.
No es cosa chica enfrentarse al imperio
y sobrevivir su furia de perro rabioso
del cual se le quita un hueso.
Ay Cuba de la historia amarga,
de palmas, bailes, canciones,
de los tambores de Alegba y Yemayá,
de la caña hecha dulce por sangre y sudor
enlútate y recuerda, canta, baila, obra
por la justicia y jamás vuelvas a la esclavitud.
© Rafael Jesús González 2016
Cuba 13/8/1926 – 25/11/2016
Oh Cuba
Los derechos se toman, no se piden;
se arrancan, no se mendigan.
José Martí
to Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz
Death came to the old revolutionary
put out what was left of his cigar
leaving him his military cap
so they would not place laurels
that would bother him.
It is no little thing to confront the empire
& survive its rage of a mad dog
from which a bone is taken.
Oh Cuba of the bitter history,
of palms, dances, songs,
of the drums of Alegba & Yamayá,
of the cane made sweet by blood & sweat
mourn & remember, sing, dance, work
for justice & never return to slavery.
© Rafael Jesús González 2016