Heading south to Uruguay in less than a month after fifteen years away. Getting so excited, I’m sketching the place in advance. Thanks, Google Maps!
Birds of South America
—Americana arrogantus
When summer comes, los uruguayos perch
Themselves on Maldonado’s Punta shore
Like seagulls, each aims a firm, fat belly
Boiled eggs in salted sun.
Across the border
Beyond the Rio de la Plata’s breeze
Argentinos strut through Buenos Aires
Proud as peacocks, their tilted coccyges
Bent back, cocksure, as if supporting plumes
Of opalescent eyes.
Over the Andes
In war-torn Santiago, los chilenos cuddle
Nuzzle—all in cooing, kissing pairs
A flock of plaza pigeons, not people
.
I mock them all, yes, yes—but I’m regal
Soaring above, a bald-headed eagle
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