Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca

written by: José Martí

Cultivo una rosa blanca
en junio como en enero
para el amigo sincero
que me da su mano franca.

Y para el cruel que me arranca
el corazón con que vivo,
cardo ni ortiga cultivo;
cultivo la rosa blanca.

translated

I cultivate a white rose

In June as in January

For the sincere friend

Who gives me his hand frankly.

And for the cruel person who tears out

The heart with which I live,

I cultivate neither nettles nor thorns:

I cultivate a white rose.

Author: José Martí (1853-1895) was a prominent Cuban poet, essayist, journalist, and a leader in the Cuban independence movement. He is considered one of Latin America's greatest intellectuals and a national hero in Cuba

Cultivo una rosa blanca" is a short and powerful poem by José Martí. The poem uses the metaphor of cultivating a white rose to symbolize the poet's commitment to kindness and friendship while the white rose also stands for purity, peace, and the poet's ethical stance of offering goodwill to both friends and adversaries alike. The poem promotes the idea of treating everyone with kindness, regardless of their actions towards us. This ethical stance is reflective of Martí's own beliefs and his commitment to justice and equality.

Cultural Importance: As a work of one of Cuba's most beloved poets, this poem holds a special place in Cuban literature and culture. It represents the ideals that Martí stood for and continues to inspire readers with its timeless message.

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