THE GENERAL WOULD SAY

From time to time the General would say
while spreading wide his thin transparent hands:
«and so it was we saw him on that day right
in the midst of the disdainful rain

astride his black, his memorable horse».
The shadow of the roof would come and soften
his shirt that seemed like stark, unblemished snow,
and the harsh curve of his severe profile.

And while inside the patio of finest blue nearby
the sadness was again reborn
that grows at night from the banana trees,

beyond the royal palms, beyond the road, a neat,
clean poverty their uniforms,
we heard our gods in silence riding by.