Come See Guatemala

Come to Guatemala,

the Land of Eternal Spring

Absorb her life,

Awaken your senses

Come see Guatemala

The highlands awash in bright sunshine

Villages of adobe houses

nestle among green cornfields

Volcanic mountains create a staircase

Fields step up to blue clouds

Baskets and tables at market

Heap with produce

Traditional clothing moves in blur

Woven skirts, shiny threads and ribbons

Large churches with cool dark interiors await visitors needing cool shade

Candles flicker on pine bough decor

Whit calla lilies stun in large bunches

Come see Guatemala

Come hear Guatemala

All across the lowlands

Whisper, whisper thud as large trees

Drop down ripe mangoes

Pat Pat clap from the tortillería

Corn masa is formed into daily food

Slap, slap as many sandals walk

cobblestone streets

Honk honk beep

Taxi drivers holler, doors slam

Spanish chatter rises like music

“Que le vaya bien, Adiós”

Laughter and clinking of dishwashing

Carries from private courtyards

Water splashes at the Central Park fountain

And a distant marimba plays

Come hear Guatemala

Come smell Guatemala

Salt air by the beaches

Sharp stink of dried fish

Woodsmoke drifts along with

Scent of cooked black beans

Sniff the browning sweet bread from bakeries

Sweet ripeness of pineapples

Peeled garlic in tomato sauce

Coffee roasting in small batches

Charred gunpowder from fireworks revelry

Laundry soap bubbles out of a drain pipe

Rainwater washes the dusty streets and

The aroma dance begins again

Come smell Guatemala

Come feel Guatemala

Soft rain forest air cools the sunburn

Scan thick foliage for long feathers of

the bright Quetzal bird

Drop heavy coins into a hand in exchange for

cool hibiscus tea in plastic bag

Marvel at large ruins of an ancient Mayan world

Silently read translations of stone carvings

Step aside for a priest with incense

Lean on rock walls grown over with moss

Brush a hand across orchids and ferns living

off cloud forest mist

Come feel Guatemala

Come taste Guatemala

Explosion of flavours

Tamales steam inside banana leaf wrap

Sip a hot fruit punch while it cools

Roll up corn tortillas to scoop up

Black beans sprinkled with dry cheese

Grill marinated pork over an open fire

Zing of tamarind juice quenches thirst

Dip a frozen banana in waxy chocolate

Snack on sesame coated champurrada bread or

Mango with lemon and ground pumpkin seed

Refresh with tres leches cake from the cooler

Fill up with chicken made into savoury stew  

A bed of rice and diced veggies

Fully satisfied and more to eat

Come taste Guatemala

“Come,” says Guatemala

“Watch my riot and

join my dance. This is Guatemala,

Land of Eternal Spring.”