José Santos Chocano

José Santos Chocano Gastañodi (14 May 1875 – 13 December 1934) was a Peruvian poet and political activist, whose work was widely praised across Europe and Latin America.

Quotes

 * Inmóvil como un ídolo sagrado, ceñido en mallas de compacto acero, está ante el agua estático y sombrío, a manera de un príncipe encantado que vive eternamente prisionero en el palacio de cristal de un río.
 * Translation: Unmoving as a venerated idol Encased in dense links of steel Outlined against the water, sombre and transfixed Like some enchanted prince Held prisoner forever In the river’s crystal palace.
 * El sueño del caimán (Dream of a Caiman), translated by Jean Morris (1906)


 * Soy el cantor de América autóctono y salvaje: mi lira tiene un alma, mi canto un ideal. Mi verso no se mece colgado de un ramaje con un vaivén pausado de hamaca tropical.
 * Translation: I am the aboriginal and savage singer of America; my lyre has a soul, my song has an ideal. My poetry does not swing from the branches With the slow movement of a tropical hammock.
 * 1906, Alma América, 'Blasón' (translated as 'Blazon', 1935)