Fidel at the Dolphinarium

I was struck by a passage in Jeffrey St. Clair’s introduction to Jason Hribal’s Fear of the Animal Planet in which he describes Cuba’s National Aquarium and its role in the dolphin trade. In my searches I found references to Castro’s visit last year, which also reminded me of an earlier post of mine.

Fidel at the Dolphinarium

Breathing the warm Havana air,
the recluse attends the spectacle.
Young ones perform late into the nights,
propelling the people up, noses under their feet.
Attacks are very very rare, the bosses tell him.
The beasts enjoy their work.
They greet him at the acrylic window
standing on their heads, smiling.
Guevara beams.
Working with women is good,
and much safer.