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Open Poetry #30
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Belize, the River Wallace & Altun Ha
| Open Poetry #30 |
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Belize, the River Wallace & Altun Ha |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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Belize, the River Wallace & Altun Ha As in any area close to bodies of water, where rivulets lead to rivers, which flow to great salts, and the salts gave us life, so they say, averred by both science & legend, with very few feeling less than affected, one way or another when close to the waters. Konrad, he had disappeared again, perhaps this small boat was just that, he having found no place to sit, so I started to capture as best I could those things to share again with him, now that my journeys were almost at an end.  That is how it began, to watch for the eyes, once more, to see what I might have missed, earlier, for faces had appeared in waves, and rock, bounding out of sea’s harsh waves, and then, the trees… but now the eyes seemed more natural, there, in the croc, and there, in the egret, then above, the man-of-war, and there,  in the iguana’s eye, what was he thinking? More noise, perhaps, infringing upon his territory, the spit and frill escaping in rise, as if to hurry us on, and leave him to his late morning nap.  With every floating log, I anticipated a croc’s head, more than a little wary, and eager to see howler monkeys, while noting bats that appeared as scars upon mahogany trees, while large plantation-like homes sprung up here, and there, manicured grass looking uncommonly neat, as if a whisper by the right wind would let the jungle take over again… then docked, we enjoyed a beer to quench our watery thirst, steadying ourselves from sweet water’s roll, watching natives construct a new hutch of palm fronds thinking it was only for display, but still…the art of weave did not escape me, as I thought of poets who weave, and artists, who paint, and Konrad whispered, suddenly, it’s only beginning I felt the air move and for a moment, the birds did not sing, all was still, then, as if I had only blinked, we were gathered and bussed off to the ruins of Altun Ha. Tour guides are just that, you get some good, some bad, ours were extraordinary, quick of wit, talking with hands, speaking of Kriol legends, and in Kriol, of times past, stories garlanding our journey to the ruins of the jade head, while clouds came in and it felt like rain, the trip was long, the break, brief, for too many were in a hurry now, to get this tour over with, not anticipating any breeze of thought, or silent touch. I felt myself breaking off again, hearing this guided tour in a crisp tongue, slake what was, then add individual thought, kind of her to fill it in I smiled at the thought, for she was doing well, answering questions, and I stepped back a bit, to feel and back, and back, into a green courtyard, as clouds billowed over this active excavation, this Altun Ha, its jade head, flints, jewelry and skins, the blues and grays of sky, and then a brush of wind, look, see, a turn, then  a break of sun illumined to root me still, so still I could not breathe, a light from heaven’s skies, broke upon the green all eyes facing another way, mine were this way, please, quite unlike the ceiba tree, the picture caught, with ease a climb was made up toward the top of this ruin up in the sky I held back, with thoughts renewed, from visions as a child when studies took me to Aztec, Inca and Mayan, and all I knew right then and there, was continue to breathe, if you can…. it was close, too close amongst the crowd, to cry or scream, carry on out loud, these sounds that felt of jeer and cheer, and thoughts of sacrifice, too close, too near, then I saw red, felt fear’s dread, backed off now by choice and heard a sound from far away, “I can’t, I can’t again!” and down the stairs I chose… Who knew? Who knew? I did I did I swear! Konrad’s thoughts and mine entwined and circled in the air. Do not be afraid he said Do not fear return No, I am not afraid, I thought, there’s still too much to learn.  No one knew of this reveal, nor let alone revelations, for should I tell there could be… problems and I would study all relations, of those that stood, and those that grieved, and those that cruised upon the lakes and rivers, and the seas, studying gold horizons. I saw the clouds hold hands… The writing had just begun. ~*~ perhaps, to be continued… |
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| © Copyright 2003 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
This is beautiful writing at it's best, Karilea. Your trip was fantastic, just like you. |
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garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Goodness, you had a wonderful trip, Karilea.... you KNOW that I'm enjoying every word and picture....Thank you so much for sharing with us!! Hugs, my friend  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Why do I have this feeling of deja vu? grin... enjoyed this for the second time this morning. And let me try this again--but yes--that Konrad is getting around. I truly loved the interplay of storyline and the conversational tone in places lent intimacy. I have a lot of catching up to do I understand. I'll have no problem enjoying every minute of it either, not when it's this good. oh.  and g'mornin' sunshine! |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Where's my link??? Huh??? Did ya think this one was too long for my attention span???  That croc was kinda scary!! Good morning Sunshine!!! |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
WOW! WOW! WOW! I just forwarded the link to Ron at work and will reply again once he has read this. Next time you go on a trip, please call us, cause we're going with you and Konrad!!!  To be continued ..... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karilea...So full of magic...you see far beyond any tour guide into the depth and feeling of a place. Fabulous! |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
The picture-poem, prosie, ode, lament, neatly and expertly surmised and found. Not found there, where the glistening neon caresses the sky with sultry promises, but there, beneath the loam, below tidal silt bed, to what is there if only sought. And, I daresay, you've found it. [This message has been edited by Alicat (12-18-2003 02:08 PM).] |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what a trip! all from my chair! thanks for sharing the adventure share on, share on! |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
Oh my...this is absolutely incredible work. I, too, think this is the best piece in the series, although all are a work of art. Still shaking my head in awe~ Patricia |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
"Who knew? Who knew? I did I did I swear! Konrad’s thoughts and mine entwined and circled in the air. Do not be afraid he said Do not fear return No, I am not afraid, I thought, there’s still too much to learn." Oh my...oh my!! Yes..please...continue! ~Let peace begin with me... |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Holy Moly Karilea..what a tour guide you make...when's the next journey? I'm coming along! Beautiful Sunshinygirl  Maree fate is not just |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Think...that's...one...place...I...don't...want...to...be.... But so glad to take the tour with you! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
No one knew of this reveal, nor let alone revelations, for should I tell there could be… problems and I would study all relations, of those that stood, and those that grieved, and those that cruised upon the lakes and rivers, and the seas, studying gold horizons. I saw the clouds hold hands… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The writing had just begun. ============================== Honeychild ... you aint neva lied when the words are whispered upon the wind...you will hear them...then make them your own.  [This message has been edited by Janet Marie (12-20-2003 10:40 AM).] |
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