Dear Friends:

These will be my last writings on this DIARY, but it does not mean that I will not write any more. This diary was a great challenge I assumed, and now I decided to change my way of writing because of different reasons. As of July, I will send thoughts, reports, or messages, not having a definite date or a daily frequency to be sent. I think this way; I will have more time to answer all the messages, since I am receiving further everyday. My writings will be entittled: “FROM FLORENCE”, so you can better identify them, in case you have to read several emails every day.

There is no doubt that I will finish writing about the World Soccer Cup, mainly after having received some compliments. Some people say that they have could to keep up to date about soccer by means of my comments, while others are interested in this sport from now on.

In my opinion, this exchange between you and me over this month has let you know, among other things, about my daily life in prison. You know that life here turns into a very strict routine, on which is difficult to write something new every day, although there are things not better to comment to avoid misunderstood, both by the authorities here and friends there.

Last night, I decided to share with you a poem, very special to me, by Carlos Manuel De Cespedes, whose author is called by Cubans:  "The Father of the Fatherland." Once, Cespedes had a serious dilemma: he had to lay down his weapons because Spaniards colonizers had captured his son and could die. The “Father of the Fatherland” reacted by saying that said that he had not only a son; because he considered himself the father of all Cubans. Cespedes, studied at the University of Barcelona and traveled France, Italy, Germany, England and Turkey. He later became the landowner of "The Demajagua” sugar refinery. Owning richness, Cespedes could have lived a comfortable life; however he decided to spend all his money in favor of Cuban people’s freedom, under Spanish colonialism oppression. He initiated the struggles for the independence of Cuba on October 10, 1868. He was a man who dedicated his life to Cuba’s independency. Carlos Manuel De Cespedes, the author of that beautiful poem, wrote about the history of the pro-independence struggles based on Cuban culture traditions.

MY DESIRE

Give me a poor roof and hidden,
at the foot of the hill
where the wind blows in vain,
and the slight buzzing
from a nearby hive
makes me feel better in the morning.

A crystalline small stream,
with white lilies rising
from a clean fountain
and jumps on the ground
hitting the hard rocks
while running fast.

The light swallow
on my thatched roof,
and its nest underground
and the mockingbird warbles
full of joy
with a cheerful chirp.

As a wandering pilgrim
sad, naked and hungry,
I knocked eager my door
then I forgot about my journey
I found food at my table,
I found some rest in my bedroom.

A sandy Avenue
where fragrant flowers
will absorb dewdrops,
it seems to invite me
from the hot summer
to a cool and dark forest.

And there lulling me
between Carmela’s arms,
I am delighted,
while with smiling faces
as their pleasure show it;
my kids are playing play around me.

From there my faraway eyes
look at a dun bell
behind the lush hill
and my loving soul remembers
that is a lonely temple
which I call it my wife.

I had no work today, no soccer to watch. It is a shame, as I could have seen the game this time.

I have read and answered some messages. One of them includes that of the Cuban songwriter and singer Silvio Rodriguez, who tomorrow will be having heightened the name of Cuba, with his songs, in Colombia.

It is no possible for me to send back the messages everyday. That is why I ask my friends once again to be brief when writing (most of them already are). I also ask those who have no received any answer, to be patient. Remember, I have short time to write, but please, do not stop writing me. Maybe I am behaving like a selfish person, but I really need your messages because they encourage me everyday.

I keep them all.
We'll see each other.

Five hugs from the Cuban Five
! We will win!

Tony
Florence,  June 30, 2010.

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