Raven

“Abstract Raven” by Silja Erg

 

the crow’s eye
can see me
in fact it sees
through me
to voices
once heard
in a hurricane
grim revelations
dark animate
prophecies
echoes that still
haunt my hollows
where marrow
fled destiny
spilled itself
into chilled cups
of glass wind

I will not
be afraid
anymore
not again
will I shiver
at words
in my brain
I will not
believe
black birds
are omens
not even this
unnatural
creature with
lips speaking
under its breath
“I can see you”

(originally posted January 2014)

Oracle

“Priestess of Delphi” by John Collier

 

oh Pythia
priestess of
vaporous wisdom
arise for this poor
troubled supplicant
stand in the shade
that Apollo
bequeathed you
your pink marbled
thighs astride
fumaroles sweating
your center
your secret skin
dripping with prophecy

he needs the truth
of tomorrow
accept here
his tributes
of laurel and liver
and drachma
please sing him
your verse but
acknowledge that
he is mere peasant
stock mortal
so spare him
inscrutable songs
meant for demigods

kings and half-heroes
did perish at
misunderstanding
your meter but he
has no grandeur
at stake so he begs
simple clarity hoist him
so he may see out
through your eyes
feel your fluids
of foresight
hear the voice
of Olympian winds
in your ears

his dilemma
unfolded his
choices laid down
free from irony
brooking no judgments
wants pointing the
destinies open and
waiting for him but to
act does he fight
to continue life
broken diminished
its damaged course
carried by pain or does
he simply not

(originally posted January 2014)

Eschatology

“Night of the Blood Moon”
Painting by Eric Forster
From fineartamerica.com

blood on the moon
fourth and final in
sequence of tetrad
apocalypse born
from astronomy’s womb
recrudescent of prophecy
ancient and modern
redemption come forth
from a dark tribulation
as scripture reveals

but my imperfection
is less pessimistic
an underformed faith
reluctant to accept such
a stern exegesis of
imminent moral catastrophe
rather perceiving the
blood on the moon
as a cosmic reminder
of my own mortality

Blood Moon

Photo by Christian Times
From beforeitisnews.com

wearing its sanguinary face
within shadows of prophecy
superstitious appeal crimson cast
across gaze of multitudes