It felt a miracle.
Cancún in the morning.
Philadelphia, late afternoon.
Tropical heat.
Bone piercing chill.
Vibrant palm fronds.
Naked oaks.
Warm Caribbean waters.
Semi frozen Schuylkill.
Sonorous Spanish sounds.
Flat Philly English.
Once in the house, the cell rang.
The children’s mother, our daughter.
How was the trip?
Amazing, said Elias.
Excellent, his sister.
They went on to elaborate.
I asked each, what was your favorite part?
I, thinking cenotes, pools, holding butterflies, the beach.
One said, the temples.
The other agreed.
What about the temples, I asked.
Their decoration, endurance through time, history.
I have to say I was gratified
by interest in Mayan shrines.
How ancient carvings in the stone
revealed beliefs, storylines.
Lynn Benjamin
February 29, 2024