Divination

              for Sage

Late afternoon in the writing workday, fog in my head, cloud covering my first eye, a quiet calls…

Divining Poet, Lucille Clifton beckons from the stack of divination cards on the coffee table. I grab the them, sink into the couch and gaze out the window hoping for clarity, courage.
                                                       Go, sit in the sun.

I rise. Open the door and let the sun spill over my face, tear my eyes. Have I been shaded too long?
                                                     Shuffle beneath the sun.

I do carefully and still two cards tumble, words up, onto the worn wooden slats of the porch. A bee buzzes overhead. I duck and acknowledge the presence. I am not surprised.  The day began with me catching a wasp inside the studio bumping against the window pane, thirsting for fresh air and sun. I caught it, blessed it, set it free.
 
They are here… always here.

Card #1: 
                       even when i am dancing now i am dancing
                           myself onto the tongue of heaven
Card #2:
                            you know how dangerous it is
                                 to wear dark skin

I marvel at how Ms. Lucille continues to resuscitate my poet-life. She insists that        I remember: 
               in this life i 
               bear blessing and bruise
               in this life i
               both bless and bruise
               in this life
               with praise and prayer    
               i must tend them
               both

Add Post