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| Body painting designed by Chelsea Bednar to depict the African Mythological Goddess, Yemaya Oshun |
How do you say “no one is an enemy to water" in Yoruba?
How do you understand the kindness of Yemaya Oshun?
How do you get
her attention to still boiling heart blood?
Woo her with cinnamon,
with your own water nature.
Woo her
floating on a still blue lake, your skin exposed.
Woo her by
learning accents in her ancestors’ language.
Hearing, she
will judge your need and what you have to offer;
Seeing, she
will dowse your fire with her eyes and your tears;
Sniffing, she
will take your smoldering incense offerings.
It is said she is
gentle loving nurture incapable of jealousy.
It is said she
is most beloved of the gods; she is fresh water.
It is said she
is life. All women may be made in her image.
You will find
her ready under the veneer of civilization
waiting with
her twin sister Righteous Anger in her arms.
Go to them without fear to awaken kindness in your hands.
Posted for Artistic Interpretations with Margaret - Yemaya Oshun at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads.
Copyright © 2013 S.L.Chast
Love the idea of wooing her so she will listen. And I agree, this is perfect after the last prompt!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Susan. I love your use of repetition, and this line woos, and brings wonder: "to awaken kindness in your hands." What an intriguing, fantastic thought.
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www.whimsygizmo.wordpress.com
Beautiful Susan, especially the closing lines
ReplyDeleteLovely Susan. I feel rather dumbfounded about where to go with this prompt but you were indeed inspired! Some wonderful word images here.
ReplyDeleteI love this! The second stanza is just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Susan...I especially like how you ended it..Go to them without fear to awaken kindness in your hands.
ReplyDeleteOh, beautifully done, Susan, beautifully said.
ReplyDeleteLuv, K
This is a wonderful interpretation, Susan. I like the way the repetition sounds like the incantation of ritual.
ReplyDeletedang...this is fantastic susan...that last stanza in particular...there is an energy seething just beneath the surface....it does have a ritual feel....powerful stuff...smiles.
ReplyDeleteI love all the woo n' wonder! Magical and I am cast under its spell ;D
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