Cuban Bus Station Poet
Though having written more than 3,000 travel poems, this Cuban poet has never left home.
Meet Louis Martinez. You can find him just past the lamposts of wrought-iron near Plaza Mayor in Trinidad, over towards the bus station. Look for the man seated next to a wheelbarrow, along cobblestone streets and the color wheel of pastel colonial walls.
To date, Martinez has penned more than 3,000 poems, mostly of the world’s beautiful landmarks and cities. What astonishes most who read his poems is that he has actually never visited them – any of them. Poet Martinez has never left Cuba, but by reading books and studying maps, he presents a way of “imagining” his way as a tourist around the world. He convincingly portrays each destination and landmark as if he had just witnessed it with his own eyes, and in vivid detail.
Readers can enjoy a video of Louis Martinez and his complete story on the BBC page here.
If you’re a Latin American enthusiast like me, meeting Mr. Martinez may make your list of people and places to see when visiting Cuba. However, if you are a United States citizen, don’t plan on searching for Mr. Martinez anytime soon.
According to the Center for Democracy In the Americas, on January 11, 2021, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Cuba’s addition to the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. Secretary Pompeo cited Cuba’s refusal to extradite ten leaders of Colombia’s National Liberation Army (also known by the Spanish acronym “ELN”) and its alleged interference in Venezuela as justification for the designation.
While the new Biden-Harris administration could unwind such a designation, it could take some time. Cuba re-joins just three other countries on the list: North Korea, Syria, and Iran.
It looks like the closest I will ever get to Cuba anytime soon is by taking refuge in the winter nesting grounds of Ernest Hemingway in Key West. I would choose to head on over to Ana’s Cuban Cafe for my favorite beverage - the Cafe Cubano.
It’s a beautiful resting spot and the location where I first chewed on my poem of travels in El Salvador, Sighs (Of the Salvadoran Coffee Farmer).
I also publish my poetry through Wild Words, which delivers one new poem, once a week – nothing more, nothing less. You can subscribe to each of these newsletters below. Thanks! Jason
