Come to our stunning land
of shuttered offices
and shattered myths
of historic capital founded upon
no memory. You will
travel in its ruts
from one coast to another
and learn to pronounce
place names in the tongues
of the forgotten. Dine
upon its bounty, pick your teeth
with its sharp old bones,
see its cloudy mountain tops
and thrill to its endless,
burial ground plains. Its cities
will snare you, its villages
will hang you up, its forests
and lakes will burn before you
as you marvel at the light
and the way it moves
the shadows away
from your scrutiny.
You’ll go mad with tourist joy
at the mystery. All expenses
paid by others,
meals included but often
rushed and spotty.
Restrictions apply.
Some assembly required;
bring tools, glue,
your own plans,
lowered eyes and
brows. Patience. Armor.
