Senorita

Senorita you are fair,

Black of eye and raven hair;

Teeth like pearls of Antilles,

Lips designed to charm and tease.

Voice as liquid and as low

As the Caribbean’s flow.

Senorita, tell me true,

Do you like these eyes of blue?

Do you like the bleach-blonde hair

Which your Yankee cousins wear?

Senorita, tell me true,

Is it black or is it blue?

Senorita, why so shy,

When I daily pass you by?

Fain would I converse with you

As Americanos do.

Senorita, can’t you see

What it is that troubles me?

Senorita, why so coy?

You my fondest hopes destroy.

What lies hidden in your eyes

Brighter than fair Cuba’s skies?

Senorita, pardon me,

You’re a flash of mystery.

c. June 26, 1900