Song of the Demon before Dancing

“Who is she that is perfumed and desirable?

below us, under the moon’s dark eyelids!...

“Clothed and proud, polished little body.

“It is not Ronda the Seer’s lithe body: Oh, no—

“The old hag: this one is a Goddess—

—no, she is a jewel!

“Perhaps she will be pleased with us!

Ah, Goddess of flesh, we will open the iron

doors for her: sing, feast and dance:

“Although you among me, lack grace…!

“You are the skeleton dead, the dark entrails

of death—you shall bring her to deep

Sheol! Open up the gates of the graves

for her!

For who has gone down to the Dead

and returned, but one?

And all the demonic forces, the dead

Looked upon this one

With fear and fascination, like owls

Charmed by a serpent…

“This one is not a weak woman!

“She may thread the rage of the

squall,

“Quietness is all, take her at day

Let the Henchman of Hell, my

Trusted soldier, lead you; keep her

For four days, she will not know

From hour to hour…let her keep

Her sweet and passionate mind

Walk humbly…she will become

dwindled like a dying dog

And victory sudden!”

#3318 (4-6-2012)

Written for the Epic, “The Fifth Moon”