Uncle Sam/Tio Samuel

 

 

Uncle Sam

Who are you, Uncle Sam
Where do you come from
Who sent you, Uncle Sam
With spangled stars
Dressed in red white and blue
Who are you

Who do you stand for, Uncle Sam
Son of magnificent war
Wings of Greek and Roman empires
Descendent of Attila and pirates
Altar boy for Napoleon

Great negotiator of territories
Or hungry consumer
Invader, liberator, or
Rearranger of the world, rebellious
Uncle Sam, is that you

Is that you with that twisted grimace
With that mocking smile and gaze
Tell me what you are doing here in Tecate
Hiding perhaps from your last misdeed

Is that you, Uncle Sam, with two horns
The black hole of your Imperial mouth
Which opens up to swallow
In the name of God
All of humanity
Let your flock dream your dream
To the sound of your flute

You, Uncle Sam, prophet and shepherd
The ultimate seducer

 

Tío Samuel

Quién eres tú, Tío Samuel
De dónde vienes
Quién te mandó, Tío Samuel
Con estrellas como lentejuelas
Vestido de rojo blanco y azul
Quién eres tú

A quién representas, Tío Samuel
Hijo de la grandiosa guerra
Aires de imperios grecos y romanos
Descendiente de Atila y piratas
Acólito de Napoleón

Gran negociante de territorios
O acaparador hambriento
Invasor, libertador o
Reordenador del mundo, rebelde
Tío Samuel, serás tú

Serás tú con ese gesto retorcido
Con esa mirada y sonrisa burlona
Dime que haces por acá en Tecate
Acaso oculto de tu última fechoría

Serás tú, Tío Samuel, bicorne
El hoyo negro de tu boca Imperial
Que se abre para tragarse
En el nombre de Dios
La humanidad entera
Que sueñe tu rebaño soñando tu sueño
Al son del son de tu caramillo

Tú, Tío Samuel, profeta y pastor
El último de los seductores

Poet: Jacinto Astiazará

 

This entry was posted in Poetry Project. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Uncle Sam/Tio Samuel

  1. Brad says:

    I really liked this poem.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *