The following text is adapted from José Martí’s 1891 poem “At the Salon” (translated by Cecil Charles in 1898). The speaker describes a painting featuring a female figure.

From the sterile soil no ray

   Of hope in a blade of green,

Nor sheltering roof is seen—

   Though the skies are heavy and gray.

 

Ah, this is the woman fair

   Who stole away my heart

In the splendid halls of art

   Yester-e’en as I wandered there!