The Poet Slave of Cuba

In "The Poet Slave of Cuba," Margarita Engle brings to life the poignant story of Juan Francisco Manzano, a young enslaved boy born into a wealthy Cuban household in 1797. Despite being denied an education, Juan discovers his exceptional gift for poetry, composing verses that both celebrate the beauty of his world and confront its brutal realities. Through Engle's powerful and evocative writing, listeners are invited to experience the complex emotions and struggles of a gifted poet trapped in a life of servitude.