Here is the ruler’s crumbled stela,

set upright, reassembled;

brought back to living sight

from an arid abyss.

See carved image of a stalwart queen,

serpent bar across her chest,

standing top bent human forms,

a platform on caiman waters.

Here is eternity consumed by elements,

long count orders broken down;

sliver moon, ruler Ix,

vanishing to forest shadow.

In the ball court a skull presides,

panel patrons offer tribute prize;

deer in hand, player b’alam

keeps the final score.

Here are crossroads to four directions,

center stones for myth creation,

where celestial bodies made passage

beneath their sak b’ih footprints.