In 1891 Jose Marti wrote a wonderful poem to Orestes Ferrara's wife, Maria Luisa Sanches, in Tampa (Ibor City,) Florida.

To Maria Luisa Sanches:

There is only one consolation
in the barbaric world of war
the stars in the sky
and the girls on the earth

The morning has no rival
with its pale and pure light
but, yes, there is a rival, your tenderness,
pale Cuban girl.

I say, my slender girl,
there in my home of martydom,
that I have seen in Ibor city an Iris
with hair flowing freely.

Jose Marti

 

 

 

A Maria Luisa Sanches:

No hay en la bárbara guerra
del mundo más que un consuelo
las estrellas en el cielo
y las niñas en la tierra.

No hay rival de la mañana
con su luz pálida y pura
mas sí hay rival, tu ternura
pálida niña cubana.

Yo diré, mi niña esbelta,
allá en mi hogar de martirio,
que he visto en Ibor un lirio
con la cabellera suelta.


Jose Marti

   
Jose Marti
 
   
The Founding Father of Cuba