Saturday, November 19, 2011

Big Trip

I am a priestess of the seasons
   and a princess of the realm
   the sacred cow through whose udders
   flows the nurturing substance of all the universe
   the holy vessel of the natural temple
I am Kali
   fearsome mother of life and death
I am Shakti
   the primal energy
   the source
   that which cannot be named
   as priestess my function is to serve
   to mirror
   to point beyond
   in the direction all men fear but indicate
      in the very turning back
   the secret need
   whispered in churches and in bed
   in kitchens and in sickrooms
   called by frightened children in the deadly night
   articulated by outhouse minds (dirty motherfuckers)
      trying to escape the curse of Oedipus
   the name always close to utterance
      on the tongues, and
      in the minds of men
I am culture, country, and one woman in the memory
   of every man
Demeter
Mary (God himself is subject)
   the green and moving, ancient sea, that warming
      chilling womb
   impregnated by the sea
      the cradle rocked by the moon.
        Whatever form,
         Thou art that.

Jehanah