El Yunque

El Yunque

The red-tailed hawk
Swoops to catch prey.
The aggressive grey kingbird
Boldly defends its nest.
The nightingale tweets
And sings all day long.
The Elfin woods warbler is
Melodious and darts happily.

They grew thirsty in the city streets,
Despising the choking smoke.
They came to you one day—
An oasis of peace.
They’ve come to you many times,
Always to find solace.

El Yunque, rain forest,
In your embrace, with gentle strength
You cradled them in the secret warmth,
Guiding them to the sun-warmed rocks,
To lie in mossy bowers,
To sing love songs,
To breathe the fragrant atmosphere,
To kiss the gentle flowers,
Pregnant with sweet nectar.

Cool, clear water fills
The bubbling springs.
A blanket of phantasm-grey mist
Gracefully creeps in the morning light,
Then the sun comes and pierces through it,
With lances of light,
Shining gleefully all day—
Until darkness tiptoes in.

Daylight yawns and moves on;
The birds burrow in their nests,
And the stars above bathe
The rainforest with stardust.