Why I Love Juanes ...

Juanes brought music to Cuba yesterday. To 1.2 million Cubans gathered at Revolution Square to be, more or less, exact. He brought a message of peace. He brought a message of love. He brought the message that no matter where we come from, what our ethnic, religious and cultural differences are, we're all people. And we all have the same basic fundamental rights -- one of which is music. He brought a message of hope to all the Colombians and their families who have been kidnapped and are being held prisoners in a never-ending war. His latest song asks us to reflect and do the same. "It's time to change."

...
es tiempo de saber
pedir perdón
es tiempo de cambiar
en la mente de todos
el odio por amor.

It’s time to change…

Si te pones a pensar
la libertad no tiene propiedad
quiero estar contigo amor,
quiero estar contigo amor,
quiero estar contigo amor…


Juanes embodies one of my favorite poems which, by writing it here, I'm probably infringing on God-knows-how-many copyright laws. (Sorry Mr. Dalton) But I have to share it with you because you can replace the word "poetry" in the poem with words like: music, education, health care (yes THAT debate again), dignity, housing, and, just to appease the IRS, taxes.

Like you, I

love love, life, the sweet smell

of things, the sky blue

landscape of January days

And my blood boils up

and I laugh through eyes

that have known the buds of tears.

I believe the world is beautiful

and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.

And that my veins don't end in me

but in the unanimous blood

of those who struggle for life,

love,

little things,

landscape and bread,

the poetry of everyone. (Roque Dalton)

Thank you, Juanes, for your vision, your humanity, your music and your words. You ARE poetry.