I would like to enhance your knowledge and understanding of me and my life. I lived by great ideals and died for the cause of freedom. I was exiled from my homeland at the age of 17 for activities against Spanish colonialism. I was already working on being a poet and playwright. I roamed the United States, Europe and Latin America until my last days seeking freedom for Cuba from Spain's strong, oppressive arm; rarely returning to my homeland. I died at the age of 42 on Cuban soil, only minutes after my first ride into battle.The Cuban people remember me because of my poetry, my high ideals and my great patriotism. Some call me their greatest hero, some write books about my life or my romantic poetry. But in the hearts of the Cuban people, I am considered simply as the Apostle of Cuba.
My Most Famous Poem"CULTIVO UNA ROSA BLANCA"Cultivo una rosa blanca
en junio como enero
para el amigo sincero
que me da su mano franca.
Y para el cruel que me arranca
el corazón con que vivo,
cardo ni ortiga cultivo;
cultivo la rosa blanca.
