Pukllay battles
were not fought
in hostility
though fighting
was ritual fierce
occasionally deadly
not fueled by hostility
fueled by community required
blood atonement for harvest
at pitched battles end
men from opposing sides
might give exaggerated hugs
as do contemporary famous world
class soccer players rugby players
after hard fought test is finally done
Pukllay neighbouring combatants
at ‘Yawar Mayu' river of blood
conclusion gathered sacrificed
a sheep together settled down
to celebrate a communal feast
in good will celebrating unity
to create a sense of larger community
to reinforce distinct identity
two cultures confirm boundaries
cultures must respect boundaries
borderlines must be respected
to enable societies to live in harmony
two musical notes
must be different
to harmonize
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem