Don Arturo Says:
When I was young
there was no difference
between the way I danced
and the way tomatoes
converted themselves
into sauce
I did the waltz or a
guaguancó
which everyone your rhythm
which every one your song
The whole town was caressed
to sleep with my two-tone
shoes
Everyone
had to leave me alone
on the dirt or on the wood
They used to come from afar
and near
just to look at Arturo
disappear.
by Victor Hernández Cruz
from After Atzlan
David R. Godine, publisher 1992