The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano

Juan Manzano was born a slave, but even his owner noticed his astounding talent for language. She treated him like her pet, bringing him to parties to perform for her friends. "I bark / on command / I learn to whine and howl / in verse / I'm known as the smart one who never / forgets. . . ." Lyric poems from different points of view tell of a Cuban boy whose gifts made him special, but did not set him free. Historical note. Excerpts from Manzano's poetry. Black-and-white artwork.