Versos Sencillos

In 1890, the great Cuban revolutionary leader José Martí wrote his most famous poetry, Versos Sencillos, in a small town called Haines Falls in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Sincere and intensely personal in tone, these verses form a unique autobiographical expression yet have world-wide appeal. This dual-language edition of Versos Sencillos offers both the Spanish-language original and a graceful English translation of each poem in the collection. The translation follows the original rhyme scheme where feasible but deliberately chooses meaning over form, staying true to mood and method. In addition to notes on the poems, this edition also includes the particulars of translation and provides a background for the composition of the verses, features lacking in earlier translations. An index of first lines, both English and Spanish, is included.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Translator Anne Fountain is coordinator of Latin American Studies at San José State University in San José, California.

José Martí
Foreword by Pete Seeger
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 130
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2005
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2386-6
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8278-8
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword by Pete Seeger      1
Notes on the Title and Edition      3
Preface      5
Introduction      7
Dedication to the Original Edition      15
Prólogo      16
Prologue      17

Versos Sencillos       19

Notes on the Poems      115
Bibliography      119
Index of First Lines      121

• “One of the best works of translation…of Cuba’s most universal and most-admired hero.”—Hispania

• “A remarkable translation that respects Martí’s message and meaning and recreates them with uncommon skill…has enriched the reader”—The Latin Americanist

• “Dr. Fountain has done a superb job of capturing Martí’s work in translation. This book brings Cuba to life for students and aficionados of poetry.”—Ken Stewart, 2006 National Teacher of the Year