Do you know my Country?

Do you know my Country?
By Alexandra López

Yellow, blue, red
The flag flutters in the wind
That is my flag
My people’s flag
Do you know my country?

Yellow for the sun, for the riches and the soil
Blue is the courage, the water and the sky
Red for the heroes who have fallen; red for freedom
Do you know my country?

My country is the beaches on the coast
From the mountain range, Los Andes
To the waterfall, Salto Angel
Even the Amazon Rainforest
Do you know my country?

My country is the arepas
And the hallacas for Christmas
The refreshing drink called chicha
Don’t forget fried plantain with cheese
Do you know my country?

My country is the music
With the cuatro
With dances like joropo
Then the Simon Bolívar Youth Symphony Orchestra
Do you know my country?

Even though everything happening now seems frightening
That is not my country
We are not defined by the problems
We are our traditions and our stories
We are Venezuela
And we will be free once again
So, do you really know my country?

I wrote the poem as part of a Grade 8 English poetry assignment. Both my parents are originally from Venezuela so I grew up surrounded by the country’s culture. I had the opportunity to visit Venezuela several times growing up.