The Cathedral (La catedral)

Here’s one that might interest those of you who like history. 

The earthquake of Cúcuta, also known as earthquake of the Andes, occurred on the 18^th of May, 1875.  It completely demolished the cities of Cúcuta, Villa del Rosario (Colombia) and San Antonio del Táchira (Venezuela).  My mother’s home town, Villa del Rosario, was a calm municipality that hosted in 1821 the Meeting of the First Congress of the Great Colombia, known as Congress of Cúcuta.

I’m pretty sure that the Cathedral of Villa del Rosario (nowadays historic patrimony) is the one Dad talks about in this poem from his book Elementary motherland (Patria elemental). 

The Cathedral (La catedral)

The history of the city can be read on

the tall solid doors.

The artist, like a villager Moses,

engraved on its planks the elemental memories,

from the double foundation

and the firm faith of the elders until the

most advanced days when Daniel Jordán and before him

Demetrio Mendoza used to brand with iron

of ravishing words the integrity of the race.

The light defeated darkness in this

cathedral without shadows.

Inside, loved and revered, timeless,

made like her people of sparse prayer,

who keep the rosary and her treasures,

is the earth-shaken Virgin.