Albino shaman from Uganda
I did what I promised myself I would not do. I fell off the metaphorical horse, and I stayed down. For over a month. It has been a difficult time filled with losses and attendant learning — the harrowing kind. Now that the worst is over, I find it hard to reappear on the blog. As few as the readers of Butter and Lightning may be, it still feels public, and somewhat embarassing to have “failed” already.
Another promise I made — one which I have kept — is that I would bring my whole self to the blog, trust my instincts, and not be unnecessarily censorious. So against reasonable counsel, I’ve decided to use some poems to make the transition back to blogging. I started this one many years ago, and finished it quite recently.
THE WITCHDOCTOR SPEAKS
Your illness is an old one—
restless, febrile, you bloom
with bruises.
It has been seven years.
Spit out the poison,
Lay down the bitter cards,
the red cards and the black cards,
the hearts for old lovers,
the diamonds for money.
Lay down the brittle cards
and take up my yielding arms.
Your lips are sores pressed
burning on my mouth.
I am the healer;
I am the cure.
That’s beautiful, Sally. When “real” bloggers phone it in and post because it’s probably better than not posting, I believe it makes their readers question the worth of reading them. Better, as Wilkie Collins says, to “Make them laugh, make then weep, make them wait.” Glad you’re back on the job.
Your poem is very moving; your line \you bloom / with bruises.\ is haunting.
I happen to be of the camp that believes that writing, and poetry in particular, can, in a manner of speaking, save us. Poetry writing helped me get through my brother’s death. Let it take you where it will.
May peace be with you.
I am so glad to have you back at work here. I always find your ideas and thoughts of interest. But I also respect need for periods of intentional fallowing. Go gently, that’s my only warning.
Hey, no failing here. I see only new, intriguing words in the face of life being complicated.
Thanks for the support. Means a lot to me. Feeling exponentially better. I’ll be causing trouble again soon.
Very moving and beautifully written. I will be back looking for more poetry.
Sally, so glad to see you back on the horse. Love the poem.