CPA - The Guardian

On October 13th, Antonio Guerrero, one of the Cuban Five, was re-sentenced to 21 years and 10 months. While waiting for his court hearing, he wrote this poem and sent it to all his supporters from around the world. Readers might like to write a letter to him in solidarity.

Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez
No. 58741-004
FDC Miami
Federal Detention Centre
PO BOX 019120
Miami, FL 33101

Miami is before my eyes. I can’t sleep
An obstinate verse bounces
between the luxury of a skyscraper
and the tragedy of a broken shower.

Through the window I see the rising sun
to light the green tinted glass,
in every direction people, with whom
I make an imaginary world, walk.

The Royal Caribbean cruises,
the McDonald’s, the school, the banks,
the homeless rummaging through the trash
the vendor under the umbrella
still there and again I look at them
from the “hole”, that is, “from my altitude”

It is called Miami’s Down Town
a mass of steel, concrete and glasses.
During the day an authentic ants’ nest.
During the night a dangerous and empty place.

Its each time highest buildings
are symbols of power and opulence:
banks with millionaire transactions,
houses with few tenants.

In the cosmetic urbanisation
there are parking lots for countless cars.
and I do not know how to say it in verse
but what captures more my attention
is to see that the public transportation
basically is used by the black people.

Once again orange jumper
Once again solitude between bricks.
Once again broken mattress without pillow.
Once again big noise in the hall.

Once again to change clothes once a week.
Once again tiny yellow pencil.
One again by a miracle a phone call.
Once again to walk without destiny.

Once again a cage to “recreate”,
This time even they don’t give coffee.
Once again dirty floor, cold shower.
Once again a “cop-out” to complain
and, of course, they don’t answer once again.
Once again “hole” and once again poetry.

Next article – Warmongers or warmongers – take your pick

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