Tajín Entrance

from visitor center museum
a straight, plant-lined walk points
like an opening proscenium
toward the first pyramids

glimpsing others beyond

scattered dice in the sun
snake eyes, bones, spots of stone
mounds with niches here, there
and one, famous, all over .

all of this is promised ahead
at the end of cement promenade
as a short bridge crosses grassy ditch
and small monument sits under tree

here is the dividing of roads
at the mouth of arroyo group

here is the entrance to the ruins where
you must choose whom you will walk
Christian -- all sun, mostly sun, or
cling to the right
           across grass beneath woods
hunting the hidden shade
along the backside
           of this zone

of eyesight delights .

Copyright 2003 Daniel Charles Thomas