I wrote this poem to present it in “Expresiones,” which is an annual celebration at Wesleyan during Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place every September. I decided to write about my country because I wanted people to know what was happening. In July of 2024, there was a presidential election, and all Venezuelans were looking forward to seeing a change. Unfortunately, the elections were stolen by Nicolas Maduro. Before, during, and after the elections, there were a lot of protests where a good amount of people (including two of my friends) were taken by the government because of having a different opinion and, in fact, just because they were protesting for something that was stolen from them. I remember that I was doing an internship during that time, and I was far away from my family, and I felt that I was living two different realities: while my country was running, I was pretending that everything was fine.
A poem that I wrote for
Venezuela, land of immigrants,
Venezuela, land of mountains, jungles, deserts, and beaches,
Venezuela, land of beisbol, parrilladas, and arepas
Venezuela, a land where the heart of its people is vinotinto
Venezuela Mi Perla del Caribe
Venezuela, a land where people smile despite the adversities,
Venezuela, a land that has been kidnapped by a narco-socialist regime,
Venezuela, a land of corrupt politicians and tyranny
Venezuela, a land where if you speak against the government, you get torture and even death.
Venezuela, a land where minors are being sentenced for playing outside at night
A land that has a name of a woman, Venezuela,
A land that today is led by a woman,
A woman who believes in freedom
A woman who believes in God
A woman who believes that the fight is until the end
Venezuela, a land that, after 25 years of division, today is united
Venezuela, a land composed of 28 million people, and a quarter of its population is outside
Venezuela, a land of everlasting hope
Venezuela, a land that I hope to come back to
Venezuela, a land that will be free.
Reference:
Manuel, Victor. “Venezuela.” Pinterest, 1 Aug. 2024, www.pinterest.com/pin/815855288815764747.
