mercurial volcanic ash
disintegrates the constructs
of permanence,
scarring the landscape
wind collides with the world tree
marking the cardinal directions
we are shaken about
beaten by life and one another
untethered from identity
in the borderlands of cyberspace
I became a shape shifting supernatural,
an apparitional avatar
arboreal hunter, spirit guide,
constellations imprinted upon my pelage
I prowl the numinous threshold
to the home of the spirits
ravens guard the branches
draw the edges of death
scream warnings and watch me
bloody my pelt on thorns
wounds of my animal form
create caves to the underworld
I am wise and foolish, powerful and weak
never capable of being otherwise
psychic scars form the light
witnessed through the veil
I reveal my ancestors and progeny
my dream time chameleonic nature
jungle dwelling dangers
find exorcism in expression
liberate my vulnerability
inspire your intentions
you coax me from the treetops
dispel my debt of gratitude
salve my Godsmitten paw
unite us in shamanic ecstasy
I loved every line of this. Amazing job! One of my favorite lines:
“wounds of my animal form
create caves to the underworld”
You never cease to inspire awe!
Anna – wonderful and magical poem -especially love the stanza ‘arboreal hunter….’ beautiful – K
I enjoyed this poem very much, Anna. I like the contrasts in ‘I am wise and foolish, powerful and weak, never capable of being otherwise.’ I think all animals (including the human animal) are creatures of contrast, and you expressed that beautifully. I LOVED the last stanza & the mention of ‘shamanic ecstasy.’
Lost, wandering in the internal while mirroring the external, you pull me happily along, reconnecting me to my animal nature, and at the same time reminding me that beyond the husk, lust, greed, anger, & angst, the white light does penetrate the lives of old souls, and tiny shards of the big truth shine upon us, banishing the shadows on our souls; love it, thanks.
Your descending waterfall of words and images rise once more to the task you set for it. Great Read. >KB
You certainly reflect those feelings in your words.worlds..loving every second of It..if you will..and ecstasy of being2…
wise and foolish – powerful and weak – love how the contrasts push and pull in this poem anna… you captured the magic beautifully…another fav part…in the borderlands of cyberspace
I became a shape shifting supernatural,
an apparitional avatar…. love it
what a journey in this….from the chameleon and being a bit lost among all the dross…to the union…this is a bit of your love story? i like the feeling of freedom and new life i find in the end of this….
Did you write this after watching that Katy Perry video? 😉
Anna this drew me in, captivated me and left me wanting more. Love this.
A wonderful poem, Anna.
Wind collides with the world tree… Oh my… This feels so ancient and timeless, like cave drawings just discovered and read anew. I see us all around a fire, chanting your words.
Enjoyed the entire visual journey as I read this stunning use of images..my fave stanza is
‘untethered from identity
in the borderlands of cyberspace
I became a shape shifting supernatural,
an apparitional avatar’
indeed in cyberspace we are like shap shifters..change the avatar and/or names and we are what ever we choose to become. Great work
Are we shamans all, or is the poet the shaman of our century and our civilisation? An interesting comparison between religion and art, sensitivity and longing, powerlessness and manipulation. Your poems always make me think hard. No easy answers.
Poets and philosophers are alike in being big with wonder . . . and wondering BIG!
a superb blend of macro-myth and the micro-intimate: shamans and mythmakers,
forging our own stories . . . making spaces in which to be ourselves.
All these words unite to give a fantastic poem. Loved reading this, especially the last stanza. ‘shamanic ecstasy’ went well with the poem. Keep it going. 🙂