The Poetry of
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Song of the Hummingbird by Graciela Limon. "
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A poem for an Aztec Princess not forgotten.
Huitzitzilin
Coiled like the Serpent Goddess
shrinking back with fright
She-Snake, the dance before
the court, bodies holding close
emulating movements of the
undulating one, sinuous waves
of what is to come, arousing
tribal excitement for those who
follow the Lord of the Feathered
Left hand. Changing the laws of
Earth Mother's land. Mocking the act of the
bride to be, she who has no choice
not at her request but at their demand
Will she be happy? The last great priest
asked. Her mother nor father wanting to
know. Needing only the title of Princess
is it for her or for them. To be filled
with children, an instrument of passage,
how many will she bear before her body
dies catching up to her already dying soul
it is the right to cast her out if she is not
pure, it is the right to lay hands of pain
upon her flesh for reasons not answered
Falling toward Mictlan, land of the dead
wanting to stay forever but returning to
find she has fire in her eyes, she has passion
in her heart, her blood burning with desires
for one she lost long ago, now willing to
search again lost soul knowing she will
find, for she has gone to the depths of the
serpents belly and has returned to endure
what ever is her torture and in the end
time will be the test for she lasts many
moons, many calendar years go by
still coming back she is hummingbird
whose wings never rest.
Copyright © May 2001 Crow
All Rights Reserved
I sit and watch infascination
her red eyes drawing me in
hypnotically, I cannot turn
away, her power consumes me
she brings me joy and pain
Intermittently. Your anger rises
standing in front of me you cry out
but Black Wolf calls to me, I need
to look at her again, her smile fills
my heart with joy, but just as sudden
I anger her, she shows her teeth
with such ferocity, I tremble and
want to weep, she embraces me
again love filling me. Look into her
eyes you said, look beyond the red
see the souls she's devoured, some
returning as ghosts we refuse to see.
Her fur as black as night, her darkness
surrounding me, eyes like fire, passion
flowing, burning bright. You want to
battle, destroy her magic, but it is
my fight, a fight I'm not ready to win
I know Black Wolf's power, eventually
I will be brave and turn away.
But for now, she is a part of me.
Copyright © May 2001 Crow
All Rights Reserved
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