The size of the shadows (Medida de las sombras)

                                                           

The differences between Bolívar and Santander certainly intrigued my Father. From his book Variations for an epopee (Variaciones para una epopeya).

The size of the shadows (Medida de las sombras)

In you Bolívar found a confidant

and with him you defended

one single flag.

With the power and command you shared

and in golden rooms you suffered

the temptation of the same beauty.

Then when the ensign was placed

on the highest hill

and an independent nation was consolidated,

free and lasting,

you were the voice,

you were the character,

you were the General who spoke to the General

the statesman who disagreed with the statesman,

the Hero who measured his shadow with the Hero’s shadow,

the Civil Genius who listened to the enigma of the GENIUS.

The Divine Providence could not make a mistake

and the Holy Spirit of the Motherland

enlightened the Liberator,

so History could not be written:

SANTANDER was burnt alive

in the crepuscular flames

of the Genius’ Glory.