At the pace of the falcons and condors,
we are invited to observe the silence.
Wait not for the falcons—but the silence.

The opposite facing canyon is the puma’s
hand with two rivers coming forth like a wrist—
widening out into a paw with five little creeks,

Separating into claws going down into the
grey green Paucartambo River. On the hill—
a community of many witches. Some wild

Cows live around them—spirits of a man
and a woman who couldn’t find a place in
the world. Their tears form rains and winds

Of these canyons. Rain comes from one eye
and winds from another. Americo said the
children’s work is to watch the flight of the

Condor. Sometimes the falcons peck at the
necks of the condors. However, condors can
go straight up—in accelerated fashion.

Falcons have the capacity to go back, forth
in zig zag fashion and get angry—they
can get away.

Condors get away angry.
Their only defense is to go up.