This is History Speaking

Oyes tu! Escusame, as we say

in the D.R. This is history speaking.

I recall my solitary dungeon

very well.  Driven out of libraries,

down into the gutter, all my faithful scribes

go to the gallows, guillotine, and pyres.

I saw the wire fences of ghettoes,
refugee camps, barrios, favelas

and all the villages holding their strength

against oblivion and prostitution.

I remember every detail

from the Inquisition to the 14^th

Amendment. I was at the Continental

Congress. I took Notes! I won’t be silenced!