La 'Autobiograf a de un esclavo' de Juan Francisco Manzano es un texto de referencia en la cultura y la pol tica cubana del siglo XIX. Manzano tambi n public poes a, a n mientras segu a siendo esclavo. En Matanzas circulaban de manera m s o menos an nima sus d cimas. De l dijo el gran Jos Lezama Lima: Manzano es un sorprendente caso de intuici n para lo po tico, con los escasos conocimientos que pudo obtener, nos ha dejado una peque a obra llena de musicalidad y de simpat a po tica . Su poes a es a la vez ubicada dentro del romanticismo aunque con un sabor criollo peculiar. 'Autobiography of a Slave' by Juan Francisco Manzano is a text of reference in 19th century Cuban culture and politics. Manzano also published poetry, even while remaining a slave. In Matanzas his works were circulated more or less anonymously. Of the author, the great Jos Lezama Lima said: "Manzano is a surprising case of poetic intuition; with the little knowledge he was able to obtain, he has left us a small work, filled with musicality and poetic resonance". His poetry is at once situated among the romantics, while offering a peculiar creole flavor.