Travels of the Ancient Kind

On the way up the mountain
we look at Lake Titicaca, blue
and sprawling. We sidetrack
to give bread to donkeys and
black pigs, hidden in a cliffside
alcove -- one pig stretches out
under the donkey's mouth,
to catch the falling bread. A
small tapestry of a woman in
brown hat & crimson skirt
emerges behind us on the stone
trail, clicking ahead. Her tribe
of imperious alpacas – curious
and long-necked – weave around us.