THE BR262 THROUGH THE PANTANAL

Two lane blacktop cuts through a wilderness the size
Of France. Nature preens. Jacaré, ibis, storks, marsh
Deer, birds of prey, potent trees in yellow, purple, pink
Spring bloom. It hems us in. To cap it all day is
Turned a lurid orange night, the rain assaults, her
Top dog status screams across the streaming windows.

Corumba awaits at the road’s end. Next stop
Bolivia. There’s a festival. We are whisked
Into a local dance; watch short films in the open
Air; enlist assistance from the motorcycle cops
To track down the lost bar. Then eat beneath the stars,
Tucked into our corner of good natured concrete.


corumba 23.09.04