Nicholas Cannariato

USA

cannaria@uiuc.edu

http://www.uiuc.edue-mail

Tropic

While we swim near the mangrove,
The day’s heat recedes.
We are chilled by purplish water,
Broken at the surface,
By our bare shoulders.

Deep within the mystic green,
The tropical bird reluctantly sings;
Abruptly silenced by the terror,
The zest of the wild monkey’s scream.

Terrible winds hurl countless drops
Off the tips of the perilous leaves.
In the mangrove desolate, void
Yet full of life-we dream.

We are near
And we are scared.
We kiss
And we are scared.

And we hail Mary,
Thus the night grows long.
And this savage journey
Resonates the ancient song.

When the rain comes,
We will dance-
And with closed eyes
Breathe
In the vast expanse.

© Copyright, Nicholas Cannariato.
All Rights Reserved. Printed By Permission.