Hidden Beneath the Rainbow

Hidden Beneath the Rainbow

Guatemalan villages have rainbows of dreams.
Magical thought whereupon each soul gleams.
Locked by a culture engraved on the soul. 
Harvests where births’ golden customs unroll.

Living antiquated amid pompous brochures
Sleeping upon mats on plank beds or hut floors.
Boys and girls may not date or co-mingle.
Marriages arranged without knowing lust’s tingle.

In homes of adobe an empire is stayed.
Within those four walls, the future is laid.
Bounded by mountains and winding footpaths
Encroached by the world, walking different paths.

Families stay warm around a hearth of three stones, 
Braving the simple life without moans and groans.
Stunning people clad in colorful handmade clothes.
The earth is their friend, their skills, and maestros.

Milling their coffee, chili peppers, and corn.
Homegrown products produced feed these freeborn.
Harvests of sweat and self-satisfaction
Hand worked acres and strength still in fashion.

Hidden near volcanoes; tucked in God's hands.
Generations of peoples have loved on those lands.
Glowing beauty shines beneath heat and straw hats.
Faces aglow, tourists hoping for chats.

Gleaming simplicity knows modernization's foes.
That exploited attraction where vacationers go.
Escaping the fast pace and the greediness flow.
San Pedro la Laguna, hidden beneath the rainbow –

© August 3, 2010
Dane Smith-Johnsen

REFERENCES: http://www.artemaya.com/artist_life_bp.html
http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/05-12/a-taste-of-tranquility-life-on-the-shores-of-lake-atitlan-san-pedro-la-
laguna-guatemala.html
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Bono Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Reading something like this makes me greatful for what I do have.Hope you are doing well.
Brown Avatar
August 6, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Congratulations Dane Ann on your win in Deborah Guzzy's contest "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Love, Carol
Mehta Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Congrats on the fifth place win, Dane
Sweetheart Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Congrats Dane Ann on your big win in Debbie's contest with a wonderful write and super win for a superior piece .. enjoy another sweet victory my friend.. with luv..
Guzzi Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 5:49 AM
wow you did some serious research here! I hadn't even considered going to Guatemala until I read this I'd see if there tourist board would buy this Dane Ann! Congrad's on your win!Light & love skinny!
Johnson Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 8:07 AM
Great work. Good luck if it is in the contest. Love, Joyce
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