Notes About The Poem

Temple of Kukulkan, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Clap your hands in front of this 1,100-year-old structure and you'll hear an echo that sounds like the sacred Quetzal bird.  We witnessed this in Spring 2008. 

Mysterious Echo


Echoes can hide in places far and wide:
in valleys, wells, near walls, in empty rooms;
in hills and canyons and in ancient tombs.

In Chichen Itza, Mexico, there stands
a Mayan pyramid, now known and named
'New Wonder of the World'. One mystery:
this temple, built for snake god, Kukulkan-
their eminent and feathered deity, 
echoes a sound, much like a chirping bird-
a bird that represents the Mayan soul;
their spirits spoke in echoes, they believed.

The visitors can stand at bottom, clap
their hands and hear the echo of a chirp.
Sound waves create distorted callings of
their native Quetzal bird as claps reflect
upon the lengthy set of stairs above.
No puzzle that this spirit chirping from
the Pyramid of Kukulkan would speak 
in echo-voice of their most sacred bird.

Unknown if Mayans engineered this feat-
Unknown if spirits of their bird speak out-
Unknown if this is nature's sound-wave play.

In Chichen Itza, Mexico is found-
a Mayan pyramid, enigma-bound.


December 11, 2015

~3rd Place~
Contest: Urban Legend
Sponsor: Nayda Ivette Negron
Judged: 04/30/2017

~3rd Place~
Contest: Screwed VII
Sponsor: Rob Carmack
Judged: 03/21/2016

~Honorable Mention~
Contest: A Tomb of Ancient Bloom
Sponsor: Justin Bordner
Judged: 03/13/2016

Written in Blank Verse - Iambic Pentameter
10 syllables, 5 feet per line.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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A  Avatar
May 7, 2016 at 4:34 PM
Sandra, nice to see this poem in Justin's contest. *skat*
A   Avatar
March 28, 2016 at 8:55 PM
Lovely win, Sandra...Linda
Gupta Avatar
March 22, 2016 at 6:49 AM
The very first three lines induce a reader to continue... Congratulations for the win...
A   Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 11:57 PM
Sandra, nice to see your poem got an HM on Justin's latest contest. HUGS ~LINDA~
May Avatar
December 26, 2015 at 5:53 PM
Very nicely penned Sandra...a mystery with a chirping melody ...best wishes
Haight Avatar
December 27, 2015 at 4:47 PM
Hi Joseph, thank you for stopping by to read my poem on the 'echo ' theme. Thank you for the positive comment and best wishes...unfortunately, it did not make the winner's list. Sandra
Yvonne Avatar
December 12, 2015 at 6:39 AM
WOW, WOW, WOW! Fantastic write Sandra, you are a very talented writer. I am sorry to be so redundant but I just have to add this to my favs. I choose to believe that this phenomenon is a way for the Universe to remind us that we are blessed and cradled in the arms of a greater power. Lots of love Armand.
Haight Avatar
December 13, 2015 at 3:50 PM
Hi Armand, you made my day with your nice compliment and supportive comments about this poem. Yes, I agree with your last sentence for sure. Thank you for your visits, Hugs, Sandra
Pinet Avatar
December 11, 2015 at 10:46 AM
I liked this poem as a good read. The descriptive wording and the great imagery bring this piece to life. Emile.
Haight Avatar
December 11, 2015 at 8:32 PM
Thank you, Emile, for your visit and uplifting comment. Sandra
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