When she returned home, the Panama Canal Zone was in the hands of the Americans. This caused her considerable sadness which is reflected in one of her most beautiful poems, ' (1906). Ancon Hill became part of the land taken to build the Panama Canal and the hill became a national symbol after she wrote her poem about the American annexation. Today this hill still boasts a large national flag at its summit. Like her other works, Al Cerro Ancón has a strong patriotic flavour which is also reflected in Zona del Canal (the Canal Zone) which was closed to Panamanians. Other works include ', Hojas Secas, (1879) and A la Muerte de Victoriano Lorenzo.