Gabino Barrera

Gabino Barrera didn't understand reasons
walking in drunkenness
carrying a pistol with six magazines
he pleased anyone.
He wore a thick square mustache
his cloth tangled around his neck
cotton pants, leather jacket
he wore his hat cocked.

His peasant feet wore huaraches
and sometimes he walked barefoot
but he liked to pay the mariachis
money didn't matter to him.
With a bottle of cane in his hand
he shouted 'Long live Zapata!'
because he was a rancher, the southern Indian
he was the son of good stock.

He was tall, well-built, very broad-shouldered
his face badly scarred
his dark gaze gave him an air
of the vulture of the mountains.
Gabino Barrera left women
with children everywhere
that's why in the towns where he strolled
they had him sentenced.
I remember the night they killed him
he was coming from seeing his beloved
eighteen Mauser shots rang out
without giving him time for anything.
Gabino Barrera died as men do
who are brave
he lost like roosters lose
in the hidden fights.