He shelters in you this man
________________________whom no one knew
or everyone forgot
—His unknown girlfriend
______________________mirrors
___________________________   the quiet dog

This case forgotten by
his country
_________that called him the Madman
Member of the squadron
that recovered Maceo’s body
_________________________still breathing

To guard it here
______________beneath this sun
that captures these words
—String of the lead
________________  plumb bob
__________________________ tear of the bromeliads

Near these sweet
______________ and holy fronds
that invoke you burning
You who are fuller and less torpid
than all history
____________ Amen

 

Translated from the Spanish by Jerry Harp