Jehanah’s Ashes

I.

Into the pot of flame

we burn the cord of life

when it ends

it begins from the earth again

we let go of her being

free her from our neediness

II.

It is May

we dance around the pole

of many color ribbons

over and under each other

weaving as we go

to the music of the songstress

and the tapping of drums

the burning sage

the oil of lavender

roses on the altar

her photos, the old Druidess

with each turn

her long hair flying

each turn

her gray eyes smiling

each turn

she bends her knees

each turn

she dances with bears

III.

Her ashes, fine like white sand

slip through my fingers

onto the ancient stones

they fall, covering blades of grass

and the occasional peek of pink

they spread in the breeze

swirl around me

I feel the sting in my eyes

they land on my black coat and boots

a spray of pixie dust clinging

Tom’s face is streaked with her ashes

little specks on his bushy beard

she fills the grove

we kiss the air

salt I taste on my lips


-Clara Hsu-