Ode to the Palapero

Photo by J. Sharland Day

What is a palapero? One might ask.

A builder of palapas honed for the task.

But what is a palapa, they then say.

An open-sided dwelling in which to play.

A roof that is thatched with dried palm leaves

Or grasses that are bundled in small, dried sheaves.

Heavy poles are set up, whether large or small

To make a frame that could cover a mall

Or just a table while at the beach

For shade and drinks within easy reach.

The large frames are grand and hard to build

The palaperos are strong for the poles they will yield

Up tall ladders they climb to pull poles nice and easy

Up three-story heights which makes me quite queasy

To watch them move around on one long pole 

Spliced together to play their role

Of a ridge-beam for rafters to be tacked

With 20-penny nails where purlins are stacked.

Photo by J. Sharland Day

These men move around at such great heights

Like monkeys a’scurryin’ away from a fight.

They call out in Maya, a language unclear

I don’t understand a word that I hear

Yet it is fun to hear phrases so old

Their lineage is what has made them so bold

Structural ties are already placed 

On top of the frame where the rafters are laced

Then comes the guano, the palm fonds are called

Or grasses wrapped together and then installed

To make a roof where rain does not invade

A place to seek for a sheltering aid

These structures when done are very appealing

Built by palaperos without them revealing

A fear of heights, or what the boss has in store

To do a job that will bring joy and more

To someone who lives in a tropical place

And be one with nature is what they embrace

These men deserve praises for their hard work and strength

The dangers they encounter and go to great length

For building a structure not many can make

Or would want to face the perils, and would forsake

The efforts at climbing up so high.

So, thanks to the men who are willing to try.

Photo by J. Sharland Day