I saw my future in the ravines
of his leathery face,
smiling toothless
with spilled bones all around,
he chanted & pointed skyward,
mumbling in ancient tongue.

It seemed the world stopped,
like we were both
waiting for a sign.
And we got one,
it was in the form
of a scarfed condor,
which flew above us
on mammoth
outstretched wings.

Some people don't believe
in such portals,
but I do,
I walked through one.
I licked the sun that day
with my own tongue
& tasted god flying.