Che

in Cuba
he is present everywhere

perhaps loved most
because he didn’t live

long enough
to diminish his legend

being a revolutionary
is romantic stuff

building a nation
and an ideology

as Fidel will tell you
can be hard on one’s reputation

Che’s beautiful charismatic face
never ages, never compromises

the old Grandmother sits under glass
behind the old palace

as tourists get sunburns in sandals
spend their hard currency

on cigars and hats
they will never wear again

somewhere in Bolivia
the ghost of Che cringes

crumples his fatigue coloured cap
in frustration

Michael Dennis
http://michaeldennispoet.blogspot.ca