Hi Gary. This is a good poem. I am particularly interested in the ' I am',
'you are','we are' beginnings of each passage or strophe. It reminds me of
the 'I am' openings of Celtic riddles. It has been suggested that this
particular opening is best read as ' I am like'.......not that you are
required to change your wording it is more in the reader's hands to read it
in this manner. It elevates the poet to a oneness with the universal
godhead, the intense identification with everything, even the smallest and
lowliest of elements. I have taken this tack with this poem whether or not
it was your intent is another matter, of course.
For that reason I admire and value the work. I also recognise its origins
in your own patterns of worship.
I think the 'You are the water, drink of me', piece does not ring true to
the other imperatives of the work. 'You are the water, we ( I) drink of you
', retains the pattern.
Best regards and thanks for the read. Arthur.
----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Blankenship
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 4:38 PM
Subject: New: Wells II
Wells II
"Drink my lord," she said.
-Genesis 24:18
I am the well
dug before El-Baal radioed his promise
to his people,
deep enough to reach
the waters of the Garden's rivers,
lined with stone quarried by giants
born of the First and exiled men.
I am the well,
draw from me.
*
You are the water,
cold as from heaven's mountains,
pure as a day-old lamb,
water to quench the thirst
of king, wife, and servant alike,
tonic for your camel,
goat, ox.
You are the water,
drink of me.
*
We are the skin
crafted to retrieve the waters,
tanned from our father's goats,
cut and sown by our mother's thread,
a measure for your sheep,
herds, children
crops, kitchen.
We are the skin,
tip us.
*
I am the rope
braided by grandmothers
long past.
I am the girl,
the rope smooth in my hands
used to rough work.
You are the sun
send to quicken your servant's thirst
so he may find your bride.
*
Hands,
rope,
skin,
well,
water:
We are His plan
as quick as the knife,
as bold as the orphan,
as sure as the sacrifices
made
and yet to come.
*
We are,
Rebekah.
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