Challenging Poetry

Brazil: thoughts on the Itaipu Dam

no one will see
Guaíra again.
the waterfall that once
spilled water—more water
than anywhere in the world—
that waterfall died—
its basin overflowing,
its rock face detonated
to make way for boats
and navigable water.
fish from the lower river
met fish from the upper
for the first time,
met, and fought, and formed
a new balance,
all for power.
so much power.
power for fifty million homes,
spilling through the Itaipu—
Guaíra reborn in light.

line count: 20

Author's note ▶︎

Itaipu is considered one of the wonders of the modern world. It provides power for most of Brazil and all of Paraguay. In the construction, Guaíra Falls was flooded, and the rock face destroyed, which merged the ecosystems of the upper and lower rivers. Eighty people died for a last glimpse of the falls. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itaipu_Dam