No one could explain with certainty why the remains of parrots and macaws were
Entombed within Chetro Ketl and Pueblo Bonito, except possibly the
Whims of humans who desired what they didn’t have.
Melancholy, boredom, or boastful urges may have led them to trade their precious turquoise for
Elusive pleasures: copper bells, seashells, cacao, exotic birds.Β Were they such
Xenophiles that their great houses, pueblos and kivas weren’t enough?Β Were they so
Intrigued by foreign trinkets and knick-knacks that the
Chacoans succumbed to the allure of distant lands and abandoned their homes,
Or were they simply over it all — the drought, the infighting, the arguments over what was sacred?

Chetro Ketl

kiva at Pueblo Bonito

Pueblo Arroyo

kiva at Pueblo Bonito

Turney’s Trading Co, Gallup, New Mexico
Chaco Canyon National Historical Park in New Mexico was once a crossroads of cultures and trade.Β It was a sacred place that bound various tribes throughout the region in a shared vision, a hub of regional cultures. They built massive multistory buildings – great houses with hundreds of rooms, ceremonial kivas, plazas – all with varied masonry styles. As a trading hub, Native Americans here traded their valued turquoise, often fashioned into ornaments, beads, necklaces, and pendants, for exotic items such as parrots and macaws, copper bells, seashells, cacao (chocolate) and other items from distant lands, which were all found in excavations. No one knows for sure why the thousands of Chacoans, who had lived on this land since 850 A.D. left here in about 1250 A.D.Β Archeologists have surmised they left because of drought, social, political or religious issues, or simply the allure of distant places.
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βPOETRYβ Invitation:Β I invite you to write a poem of any poetic form on your own blog about a particular travel destination.Β Or you can write about travel in general. Concentrate on any intention you set for your poetry. In this case, I wrote an acrostic poem about NEW MEXICO.
βThe basic acrostic is a poem in which the first letters of the lines, read downwards, form a word, phrase, or sentence. Some acrostics have the vertical word at the end of the line, or in the middle.Β The double acrostic has two such vertical arrangements (either first and middle letters or first and last letters), while a triple acrostic has all three (first letters, middle, and last)β (from The Teachers & Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms).
Some examples of acrostics can be found in Seasonal Sonnets (Acrostic) by Mark A. Doherty.
You can either set your own poetic intentions, or use one of the prompts Iβve listed on this page: writing prompts: poetry.Β (This page is a work in process).Β You can also include photos, of course.
Include the link in the comments below by Thursday, August 30 at 1:00 p.m. EST.Β When I write my post in response to this challenge on Friday, September 7, Iβll include your links in that post.
If you link after August 30, I will not be able to include your link in my next post, so please feel free to add your link to that post as soon as it publishes (since I’m leaving for the Camino on August 31).
This will be an ongoing invitation, on the first Friday of each month. Feel free to jump in at any time. π
I hope youβll join in our community. I look forward to reading your posts!
Chaco Canyon is on our bucket list. Iβve been wanting to go there for quite some time. Iβm fascinated by their culture. Iβve always wondered why they left….
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Archeologists don’t really seem to have it figured out why they left, either. They have a lot of educated guesses. As far as going to Chaco Canyon, it was very hot in May, and you know it’s quite out in the middle of nowhere. I had to drive 20 miles over dirt roads and I didn’t see another soul! My husband had flown back home by then, so I was on my own. It was a little unsettling being so far from civilization all by myself! π
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I loved your poem, the photos and your accompanying text. The poetry invite is a wonderful idea.
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Thank you so much, Richard. I challenged myself to write these acrostic poems for each state I visited in the Four Corners. But there are so many poem forms people could use. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words. π
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The same mysterious vanishing happened in Maya land at around the year 900 after a climate change and drought, a coincidence of both incidents would be quite surprising. Thanks for giving these natives of the Americas some more attention in poetical form.
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That’s true, Ulli. Lots of people have vanished from various lands over the centuries due to unsuitable living conditions. These people left Chaco Canyon around 1250 but arrived there around 900. Maybe they came from the Maya area?? I don’t know….
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New Mexico is a place I have long fantasized about visiting. Your poem, photos and following commentary reaally capture the allure and mystery of the place.
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Thanks so much, Suzanne. I didn’t spend nearly enough time exploring New Mexico. On this trip, I only had time for Gallup, Chaco Canyon, Aztec Ruins and Bisti Badlands. But further south and east are wonderful places like Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, etc. I really want to go back and explore more! π
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You have given new life to the acrostic poem – you use the form to structure ideas, not just the first word of each line, and you offer pauses for consideration. Iβve never seen the form used so beautifully. Your use of questions is perfect, and the photos show such … neatness! Oh and the places youβve been!
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Thank you again, Meg, for your reading and your comments. It has been fun to use the acrostic form to help structure my ideas about poems for these four states. I still have one to write for Colorado, then I’m looking forward to challenging myself with some new forms. I still need to spend more time on language and metaphor and letting loose to let surprises happen. Practice, practice!!
For sure, I so loved my trip around the Four Corners area. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. I do so love to explore new lands! π
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Much as I love the photos, you don’t actually need them because your acrostic paints good images on its own. I’ve never tried this, but then I’m very lazy about poetry forms. I’ll see if i can come up with a lazy poem!
Four weeks to go Cathy, how exciting π
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Thanks so much, Gilly. I found the acrostic form helped me structure what I wanted to say about New Mexico. It turned out that “X” was a challenge, and when I found the word Xenophile, that helped me figure out the direction of the poem. Now I need to try some other forms, letting loose and doing freewriting and using language more creatively, along with using metaphors. It doesn’t come naturally to me. But, I still have one more acrostic to write for COLORADO! π I’d love to see what you come up with on your lazy poem. You’re much more poetic than I am! π
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What a fascinating and mysterious place. So many unanswered questions. I find your acrostic poetry form captures the whole atmosphere and story of the place. Count down to Camino now Cathy.
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Thanks, Pauline. Not only was it fascinating and mysterious, but it was hot and dry. I felt like my throat was on fire breathing as I walked around there! Even archeologists don’t know the answers to the questions, but it’s intriguing to consider why people left. Yes, the Camino is fast approaching!!
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Need to drink lots of water….
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Arrrrr! It’s August and counting down! π¦ Did you get to see another doctor?
Thank you for introducing me to acrostics. I was familiar with the form but didn’t know their name. This one is absolutely brilliant and I agree with Gilly. Well done you! π π
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Yes, Jo, I saw another doctor who was much more responsive with some practical solutions. He said I have bursitis, gave me a cortisone shot and a prescription pain med, and a referral to a physical therapist, who also added that I seem to have some tendonitis. He recommended I get some orthotic inserts for arch support. I’ll be working with the physical therapist 2x/week until I leave. Hopefully it will get sorted out by August 31!
The acrostic was fun to work with but I can’t believe I challenged myself to write one for each state. Still have Colorado to do, then I can move on to something else. It was fun to write as it gave a structure to what I wanted to say. Thanks, Jo!
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There shouldn’t be such variation in doctors but I’m glad you found a helpful one xx
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You’re right, Jo, there shouldn’t be such a variation in doctors, but sadly, there is. My husband had used the first doctor with good results so recommended him to me, although with me he seemed rather lackadaisical, just shrugging off my problem with no real practical advice. This one was very efficient and offered plenty of practical help. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but at least I’m trying something instead of flailing about not knowing the right thing to do. π
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Wow, you’re brave doing that trip on your own…..mind, I used to those sorts of thi NGOs when I was fit and healthy…, love the Acrostic
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Thank you, Sue. It was a little unnerving to drive out in the middle of nowhere, on a dirt road, no less, for 20 miles. I could really feel the desolation of the place! I’m sure you did used to do those things. You were very adventurous, weren’t you?
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Yes! I. Think I’m an adrenaline junkie…well, was!
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You probably still are, even if your physical condition hinders you! π
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What a fascinating place and you do it such justice with your poem. I am surprised you were alone here, that must have been unnerving. And not a place you’d want to break down in. You really are an intrepid traveller. I have another ‘sort of poem’ for you next week. I shall link to this post so hopefully you will see the pingback.
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Thank you so much, Jude. It was a bit unnerving traveling to Chaco Canyon on my own, although there were people in the park once I got there; I think most of them came from the north, while I approached from Gallup in the south. I definitely did not want to break down out there! π
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I have nominated your blog for the Blogger Recognition Award.. i really enjoy your work. I Leave you with a link to the post where you can find my nominations http://carpediemeire.com/2018/08/04/blogger-recognition-award
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Thanks so much, John. I appreciate it. π
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How interesting to know these people were so active and what a mystery their decline is.
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It sure is a mystery.
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