In late 17th-century Spanish Florida, soldier Don Orfeo arrives at San Augustin carrying only his cherished guitar. There he meets Isabella, a young indigenous woman forced to work on the Spanish fort. Their connection forms through music—his guitar answering her native flute—bridging their different worlds. When Isabella disappears, taken by warriors from her tribe, Don Orfeo abandons his post and journeys through the wilderness of La Florida to find her. His search takes him through swamps and savannas, from mission to mission, encountering numerous indigenous tribes before finally reaching the powerful Calusa people and their intimidating king. What follows is a tale of impossible choices, cultural divides, and a love that refuses to surrender. Drawing inspiration from the Orpheus myth while set against the historically rich backdrop of colonial Florida, this verse epic brings to life a forgotten chapter of American history through evocative poetry that explores the universal struggles of love, loss, and redemption in a divided world.
