A Macaw in Jonestown
by Lauren Holmes
University of the Incarnate Word
Lauren Holmes Baloco is a recent alumni of The University of the Incarnate Word. Baloco graduated with honors with a BA in Art and English; she also obtained a minor in Creative Writing. She graduated last year in December 2023. Baloco plans to continue making art, writing poetry, and continues to work towards her aspirations.
Placid palms and leopard lilies,
A settlement away from Guyana cities.
A mourning sky without rainfall,
The earth’s sight of chilling appall.
Heat in waves as days progressed
Brought about the unexpected guest.
As if on a daily stroll,
Its feet adjust their grip on the pole.
Yellow, green, blue feathers,
Ducking its head to see them together.
Swaying like papaya in the wind,
Its beak a permanent grin.
Camera lens zooming out -
Families led astray by the devout.
Most lay face down, others askew,
Footage taken in bird’s-eye view.
918 dispersed like debris,
For all to see on NBC.