Adolfo Esquivel was born in ’31 to the family
Of a Spanish fisherman. His mother died when he was three.
Yes, he grew up the son of an immigrant to Argentina.
As a child he was drawn to reading – Augustine,
Ghandi – and to fine arts studies. He was actually seen
As an artist and professor. Then came the reign
Of General Videla, a dictatorship so cruel
That tens of thousands of citizens were ‘disappeared.’
While mothers and families wailed, the military commandeered
This democide, weaponizing terror, night-fueled.*
Esquivel wrote and headed Peace and Justice. Resolved,
He traveled to the U.N. to request a human rights commission,
And returned to his native land – where he was imprisoned.
When released, he traveled again, Peace his mission.
June Edvenson 