The poet and decima writer Freddy Camilo Morffe Fuentes from Holguín has died at the age of 56 this past Saturday. His passing has been widely reported on social media and verified by the independent outlet Árbol Invertido.
The circumstances surrounding Morffe Fuentes' death remain undisclosed. In the final years of his life, he faced homelessness and lived on the streets.
Born in 1969, Morffe Fuentes authored several poetry collections, such as In the Cathedral of Time and The Goblin Told Me, as well as various children's books.
In an interview with independent media Cubanet in 2024, Morffe Fuentes revealed his plight, stating that he was neglected by local cultural authorities. “I feel abandoned. Today, for instance, I feel worn out and distressed. I have no money, and there is nothing for me to eat. It has been eight years since I received any royalties. In truth, everything has failed,” he expressed with despair.
The poet described his living conditions, saying that he often slept “on the porch of a school, sometimes at the entrance of the Martí cinema. Occasionally, I go to a cousin's house and ask if I can sleep in their yard.”
According to Árbol Invertido, Morffe Fuentes battled psychiatric issues, underwent electroshock therapy, and ultimately lost his home after transferring it to a relative, which led him to a rehabilitation center. He later escaped to return to street life.
Morffe Fuentes received a mention in the Ibero-American Cucalambé Written Décima Contest in 2003 with his book Memories of a Shipwreck, and he was also awarded the City of Holguín prize for music.
Beyond his literary work, he was employed as a tobacco factory reader and spearheaded sociocultural initiatives for children, seniors, nursing homes, and elder care facilities. He also organized events at the UNEAC headquarters in Holguín, as noted in Árbol Invertido's obituary.
“His name joins a list of Cuban writers whose lives were overshadowed by poverty, while his verses demand, at the very least, the basic justice of not being forgotten,” concludes the obituary from the independent outlet.
Freddy Camilo Morffe Fuentes: A Life of Poetry and Struggle
Who was Freddy Camilo Morffe Fuentes?
Freddy Camilo Morffe Fuentes was a poet and decima writer from Holguín, known for his works such as In the Cathedral of Time and The Goblin Told Me.
What were the challenges faced by Morffe Fuentes?
Morffe Fuentes faced homelessness, psychiatric issues, and neglect from cultural authorities, ultimately living on the streets in his later years.
How did Morffe Fuentes contribute to his community?
Besides his literary achievements, he worked as a tobacco factory reader and launched sociocultural projects for children and seniors, organizing events at the UNEAC in Holguín.