Peruvian poet César Vallejo was born César Abraham Vallejo Mendoza on this day March 16, 1892 in the city of Santiago de Chuco.

Under the Poplars

       for José Eulogio Garrido

       Like priestly imprisoned poets,         
the poplars of blood have fallen asleep.
On the hills, the flocks of Bethlehem                  
chew arias of grass at sunset.                  

      The ancient shepherd, who shivers         
at the last martyrdoms of light,                  
in his Easter eyes has caught                           
a purebred flock of stars.                           

      Formed in orphanhood, he goes down         
with rumors of burial to the praying field,         
and the sheep bells are seasoned with shadow.

      It survives, the blue warped         
in iron, and on it, pupils shrouded,                  
a dog etches its pastoral howl.

-César Vallejo