Page 138 - Dark Matter Women Witnessing
P. 138
III. Origins
When Earth’s magic was
younger, people trembled
before the salamander:
Eater of fire.
Birther of gods.
Bestower of visions.
Smiter of ignorance.
Master of transformation,
bridging earth and water.
Master of disguise,
portal to soul memories.
The salamander speaks
in the hiss of a match,
the crackling blaze,
the spent coals. Those
who follow the changeling
across the threshold
remember each incarnation,
the alchemists’ gold.
IV. Invitation
The dark-haired, dark-skinned woman
bows her head. She does not look
this way. The day’s work waits
to be done. She walks steadily
over the ridge and down the arroyo.
I have tried to see more, but it feels
