River of Doubt

twists and turns of serpentine. perfumes that emanate from time to time, through a wall of quietus-trees. perils in the doubting waters, amidst the anaconda, caiman, and piranha. perhaps, after all, man is the more sinister as his stomach growls and his face’s beaten bittersweet by the zenith of the Amazon. his legs carry portage and dugout canoes. sinkholes churn whirlpools. vines hang down and choke. ~ most hope from within ~ for despairing we learn to be thiefs, murderers hewn out of fear. insects further trouble and attack, and tribal eyes spy, and agitate in perpetuities’ suspicious waters. Rio Roosevelt thrives cantankerously as Theodore’s enemies attack, with deadly scratches and malaria. but Rondon never forgets to map and be respectful of the tribes, even if it’s to his own demise. 1/22/2018