angels without bodies heads with wings gazing with dismay upon humanity–
where indeed? did they come from will they go? and who knows
who they are who we are and why we are on opposite sides?
who is this? who petitions the heavens surrounded by sky waves encased in a floating shell
held by cherubs– the sun waits uncertain afraid while multiple madonnas
hover above the mission grounds– what is the mission? of this line drawn
over and under– who drew it? who was first to deny kinship
to question the connection between we and they– is it just a matter of transposing
the words the sounds? what prayers must Our Lady carry past the pleading priests? over the waves
through the clouds into the night where the moon waits patient and wise
For the earthweal challenge A FEAST OF EARTH FOOLS. Once again, I am uncertain if my answer fulfills the question. But I believe the moon, patroness of lunatics, deserves a seat at earth’s table.
Part of this poem came out of something I wrote about an engraving in the Hispanic Museum celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was an unhappy scene I thought–even the angels looked distressed. The sun appeared to be attempting to hide. Only the three visions of the Lady seemed to hold any real spiritual essence. It was titled “Recognizing the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe”–clearly what was needed was to recognize the night.
What fools, what fools, what fools these mortals be what fools to mimic riches glitter fame what fools to in those masks refinement see what fools embraceth folly without shame
Where every likeness hath its own deceit wherein it looketh match to opposite pretended twin to answer in repeat the shoe that forceth toes and heel to fit
With voices like to painted artifice with jaws that stretcheth into polished teeth with promises that proveth meaningless duplicity a smile cached underneath
And will the masquerade yet come undone? I fear the jester killeth us with fun.
The Earthweal challenge this week is titled A FEAST OF EARTH FOOLS. Brendan has asked us to “Mix your human essence with another living entity”, in the spirit of the ancient seasonal celebrations that invite reversals, chaos, and ghosts into the world in order to transform it.
I’ve often written about fools, and decided to repost some of them this week, while considering how to answer Brendan’s invitation. It’s not a bad idea this time of year to consider the folly of humankind.
This poem was written in April 2016 for Shakespeare’s birthday, and Talk Like Shakespeare Day (yes it really exists).