Alpaca

I don’t know whywhen seen from a distancetheir form has a human bearingThey don’t stand here only todaybut countless times have passed through the tunnelsof time and history, even though their ancestorsresisting with stony silencenever hesitated to choose deathrather than the humiliation of oppressionNo wonder José Martí saidwhen alpacas fall to the groundit’s often to uphold the dignity of lifeI remember when I returned from the Andessomeone asked me my impression of Indigenous AmericansWithout even thinking I said:Sir. . . it’s true. . . they’re similarto the alpacas of Peru!