Rumours

In the east where each night the Gods pour into the sea
there are small floating mountains drawn by clouds
and men with lime-coloured skin and straw on their faces
who wear suits of silver that throw stones of light.
It is said their eye-sockets are filled with lapis flecked with jade,

They carry metal tubes over their shoulders that spit fire,
ride stags that make drumbeats in the sand
heard half a day distant.
Stags taller than trees that stand like giants
paddling legs that can split logs!

Dogs holding the yellow of the sun in their eyes
with the shoulders of a jaguar gangle at their heels
laughing with jaws that loll tongues
longer than snakes on the hill of serpents.

From Songs of Sorrow