Para el Cubano

Written by Sophia Garcia

The sugar no longer sweetens their tongue

The roads hold no tune or rhythm.

Even the tide hides from the sun.

Para el Cubano

The sea brings hope

only to those who can buy it,

while the earth remembers

every name forgotten,

names who screamed from closed throats.

Para el Cubano.

Guns guard luxury

where children’s bicycles rust,

yet no soul dares defy authority.

Para el Cubano.

The flag still dances.

The people still endure.

Home has its roots

in soil stripped of freedom.

One day

Sugar will sweeten loud tongues.

Streets will sing free tunes.

Tides will no longer obey to dollar signs.

And that island

will be free.

Para todos los cubanos.