The Grotto

Cold, a welcoming void

dark by nature, with scant illumination

They say the Indians used to go

in search of water, spiritual water

Into her belly they went, one by one

to find the unknown places

where the tears were kept

Knowing there they flowed freely

From neglect, her skin dried, shifted

cancerous boils of manifest destiny

They journeyed deeper

refuge from the future

Now we go there, tourist

for brief moments, we feel peace

Refreshed as water cascades from

beaten walls, gathering in isolated pools

There are no Indians here now

from our cities, we come

Guided to known secret caves

refuge from the past

Sonrisa © 12-19-00

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