Here is another documentary by CNN and narrated by Shakespearean actor/director Kenneth Brannagh.
(Pablo Neruda's Song of Protest)
That Friend
Later Sandino crossed the jungle,
he unloaded his sacred gunpowder
against assaulting sailors
grown and paid for in New York:
the earth burned, the foliage resounded:
the Yankee did not expect what was happening:
he dressed very well for war
shining shoes and weapons
but through experience he soon learned
who Sandino and Nicaragua were:
it was a tomb of blond thieves:
air, tree, road, water
Sandino' s guerrillas came forth
even from the whiskey that was opened,
which sickened with quick death
the glorious Louisiana fighters
accustomed to hanging blacks
with superhuman valor:
two thousand hooded men busy
with one black man, a rope and a tree.
Affairs were different here:
Sandino attacked and waited,
Sandino was the coming night,
he was the light from the sea that killed.
Sandino was a tower with flags,
Sandino was a rifle with hopes.
These were very different lessons,
at West Point learning was clean:
they were never taught at school
that he who kills could also die:
the North Americans did not learn
that we love our sad beloved land
and that we will defend the flags
that with pain and love were created.
If they did not learn this in Philadelphia
they found it out through blood in Nicaragua:
the captain of the people waited there:
Augusto C. Sandino he was called.
And in this song his name will remain
full of wonder like a sudden blaze
so that it can give us light and fire
in the continuation of his battles.
XI
Treason
For peace, on a sad night
General Sandino was invited
to dine, to celebrate his courage,
with the "American" Ambassador
(for the name of the whole continent
these pirates have usurped).
General Sandino was joyous:
wine and drinks raised to his health:
the Yankees were returning to their land
desolately defeated
and the banquet sealed with honors
the struggle of Sandino and his brothers.
The assassin waited at the table.
He was a mysterious spineless being
raising his cup time and again
while in his pocket resounded
the thirty horrendous dollars of the crime.
O feast of bloodied wine!
O night, O false moonlit paths!
O pale stars that did not speak!
O land mute and blind by night!
Earth that did not restrain his horse!
O treasonous night that betrayed
the tower of honor into evil hands!
O banquet of silver and agony!
O shadow of premeditated treason!
O pavilion of light that flourished,
since then defeated and mourned!
XII
Death
Sandino stood up not knowing
that his victory had ended
as the Ambassador pointed him out
thus fulfilling his part of the pact:
everything was arranged for the crime
between the assassin and the North American.
And at the door as they embraced him
they bade him farewell condemning him.
Congratulations! And Sandino took his leave
walking with the executioner and death.
Pablo Neruda's "United Fruit Company"
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