Epic Song

At first this book was centered around Puerto Rico, her agonizing colonial condition, the struggle of her insurgent patriots. Later, with the magnanimous events in Cuba, the scope of the book broadened and developed throughout the Caribbean. Therefore, I dedicate it to the liberators of Cuba: to Fidel Castro, his comrades and the Cuban people. I also dedicate it to those in Puerto Rico and throughout the sizzling Caribbean world who fight for freedom and truth always threatened by the United States of North America. This book is not a solitary lament or an emanation from darkness; rather, it is a weapon aimed point-blank, a basic and fraternal aid that I offer my sister Caribbean nations in their daily struggles. Those who went to great lengths to reproach me before will continue to reproach me even more. For my part, I here assume with pride my duties as poet of public utility—that is, a pure poet. Poetry has always flowed with the purity of water and fire which cleans or burns, unavoidably and unrelentingly. I sincerely hope that my poetry serves my Caribbean sisters and brothers in their honorable duties. All over America there remains much for us to clean and burn. Much must be constructed. May each and every one of us through sacrifice win what is ours. Only then will we be truly happy. Our peoples have suffered so much that we will have given them very little when we have given them all. —Pablo Neruda Aboard the freighter Louis Lumiere between America and Europe, 12 April 1960.