Part One

I tell you a legend of long ago\rOf the sunken city of La Laguna de Paca,\r(Where I had met a lingering ghost)\rWithin this region of Huancayo--Peru;\rTruth lies, but only the soul knows.

Part Two

So the legend goes, of long ago:\rDuring the rising of the full moon\rThe Mermaid of La Laguna de Paca, appears\rAnd to the nearby towns folks, she echoes...\rEchoes: her cries and moans!!

Then when one thinks all is well--\rThe enchanting rings, the rings...!\rOf the bells, the Great Bells, bells\rOf the sunken church of La Laguna de Paca\rAre heard by the folks of the town.

Part Three

But there is more to this legend:\rFor it is said, wherein the dark night\r(The ink dark macabre star-lit nights)\rWherein the Errieness of the full moon\rEbbs across the Laguna Paca, gives birth,\rTo the Great Bull,who scrotches the hillside

Scrotches the foliage to its bones...!\rScrotches its with fire and brimstone.

Part Four

And now I tell you of my tale--\rA tale of that took place but a few days ago,\rBy an embankmnment along the Laguna de Paca.

Here I stood, stood within its grip,trance:\rAloft in the eldritch dark it lingered\rThis shadowy configuration of the Gaul, \rThe gaul of the lake, Laguna de Paca--.

And there in the giant eucaliptus (tree)\rIt shifted and swayed, looking at me...\rThen at forth glance, it disappeared,\rAs if it sank in to the great lake...\rLa Laguna de Paca!...

#624 (4-13-05)

Poet-Author Dennis L. Siluk