In memory of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated in San Salvador on 24 March 1980
Romero of the Americas
The child of the flute
sows words in a dream
a melody in the air
and grows with the people.
They assassinate Father Grande
in the lands of Aguilares
village of the seeds.
The troops march
to San José de la Montaña.
They exterminate the Scriptures
and set on fire the mountains of the waters
of earthly residences.
The brothers of Christ the King
burn the maize
and impose the secret of torture.
The shepherd does not hide his grief
when they assassinate his people.
He denounces the fratricidal horror
of the Union of White Warriors.
The apostles of Saint America
deny life to the suffering people.
At six twenty-six
he offers up the bread
the assassin shoots!
The prophecy becomes history.
© Carlos Reyes-Manzo
Translated by Valeria Baker