I wonder
where is Cuba now?

I sat at the base
of the citadel’s wall,
the only evidence
we belonged
were the old tables
and chairs,
and the quiet woman
who magicked beers
to us from somewhere

I was as free
as Cuba should be

I met a man
who had translated
for Castro
some words,
for him
this was complicated
by time
and discontent

He meant to be free
as Cuba should be

Another traveller
from another world
joined us at the base
of the citadel’s wall
where we laughed together,

In this moment
across the water,
within reach
of the life of Havana,

We were as free
as Cuba should be

From Havana
to Cienfuegos
I moved easily,
the rhythms of the day
as dignified as
the people
and the land,
the circumstance
of their embrace
the possibility of being

In a moment free
as Cuba should be

And so I wonder
where is Cuba now?