Aguirre Erect, Alone, a Raft
Drifting,
                       Overrun with Monkeys, 1561

Sam Rasnake

Chickens, pigs and statuary of the Virgin--
stupid nobility--conquistadors dragging cannons
over the Andes and slaves shouldering women
in sedan-chairs--we descend through clouds.

Forty-nine days and I am standing.  I am.
The river, between bush silence, fevers its way to
sea--
But then, weakness deserves abandonment.
Ursúa hanged, left for cannibals.  His beautiful
Inez.
And Guzman, fat puppet, emperor of nothing, fool.

I'll marry Flores, oh child--a dynasty in your
bulge.
I've set my teeth on power, gold, fame and chewed
the world.
The taste was wonderful, a continent on my tongue.

We will endure.

I'm the Wrath of God.  If I tell birds to die,
they drop from the trees.

Who else is with me?

Sam Rasnake