The Republic of Power - Alfonso Hernández

Every year the dictator makes a speech to the multitudes
from his pragmatic throne – Peace Love Justice –
(as if history were an expedient of his base passions).
The dictator makes his speech,
the promise of new schools; a plan for putting an end to
hunger, illiteracy, and many other things;
and also an agrarian reform for those who have
rosy dreams, who view
life as benign.
Every year, as I have said,
with high honours he raises his funeareal hand to make
the sign of the cross
over hundreds of sickening corpses…

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Alfonso Hernández (1948 - 1988) El Salvador
Translated by Keith Ellis
Source: Zócalo Poets