Avatars
Robert René Galván
As the stones
rose toward
the Morning Star
in the vanquished jungle
a prophecy
was born
in a contentious
land
across the sea
where he
was mounted
like a butterfly
to dry
in the desert
sun,
that centuries
hence
he made
his way
with poachers
and zealots
to a sinking city
where temples
were altered
to house
his relics:
a shard
of cedar,
his mother’s
likeness
struck fast
on Juan Diego’s
tilmátli –
the goddess’
altar rendered
with looted
blocks,
the old ones’
faces still
in relief;
columns
will stand
until usurped
by a visitor
from another
world.