My Santiago

I need to write about Cuba

The people and their place How they fashion lives of passion Fused in one nation, one race. I want to capture their music That keeps me sleepless at night their songs of love and deception, Lyrics to dance to and fight.

I long to feel their dance The rhythms of their day That sensual earthly Salsa So vital to their way

I endeavour to depict their courage Their faith in a Cuban way of life

The struggle to create a living Beset by a neighbour’s strife

And I will now place on record My opposition to the ban By a Goliath of a nation Against this smallest clan