08 March 2013

Kindness

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



10 comments:

  1. Love the idea of wooing her so she will listen. And I agree, this is perfect after the last prompt!

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  2. This 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

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  3. Beautiful Susan, especially the closing lines

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  4. Lovely Susan. I feel rather dumbfounded about where to go with this prompt but you were indeed inspired! Some wonderful word images here.

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  5. I love this! The second stanza is just fantastic.

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  6. So beautiful Susan...I especially like how you ended it..Go to them without fear to awaken kindness in your hands.

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  7. Oh, beautifully done, Susan, beautifully said.
    Luv, K

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  8. This is a wonderful interpretation, Susan. I like the way the repetition sounds like the incantation of ritual.

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  9. dang...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.

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  10. I love all the woo n' wonder! Magical and I am cast under its spell ;D

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