Waspam, Rio Coco

 

WASPAM, RIO COCO 
Airplanes roll to a stop at a single spot
On the gravel airstrip in green Waspam. 
Baggage stubs are stories strewn on the ground,
of loved ones returned and gone into town. 

Did you grieve there nights of milk and honey? 
The Milky Way Dave's crown for your widowed head, 
“Trail of the wind” in the Miskito tongue, it’s said 
to forecast tomorrow as sure as money.

It stretched lengthwise, beginning to end 
Above the pebbly field on that school night 
When you heard God pronounce my name.
Answer to whose prayer, most precious friend? 

But I in dread flying dreams was not free
Waihli pursued me, through sultry air, dense and dead,
Heavy as the sweaty AC unit my father kicked
which crashed behind the rotting shed.
Diwas, oh land breeze ever so slight
A mere wisp, thou angel... gird my flight, 
lift me over the statue of St Pete who weeps
in the shadow of a chicken coop, as roosters crow.
Please, deliver my life from things below. 

Sleep timed out before dawn, my bed was wet  
I wished stars would give me dew for sweat.
Not wanting to leave the mosquito net... I was next seen 
in an amphitheater in Philadelphia; there’s a silver screen--
No! It was the shimmering throne of God. 

There were too many people, there was too much need.
I wished He’d notice ME, but who was I to plead,
“Pick me out from this flailing crowd
all shoving, nodding, cutting line
and singing Halleluia the entire time.

I would not insist, but darling you appeared
to the rear, at the door; above the ruby glow 
of a sign in Spanish spelling EXITO.
“If it’s some mistake...” However, reassured,
you spoke the words: “I am your reward 
Thus say I and thus says the Lord.” 

 I am not able to name the stars in the sky
but am so happy to know
the red light atop the cell phone tower
past the airstrip, on the west end of town
down in Waspam, Rio Coco. 

Comments

[Kirsten Melrose]

This is such a beautiful love story!!! I am honored to watch it unfold.