THE VILLAGERS SING OF THE WOMAN WHO BECOMES A WAVE WHO BECOMES THE WATER WHO BECOMES THE WIND

she weaves words into the fabric of sky
she knows the stars, an ascension of pearls
she is witness, keeper of starlight
she weeps silver tears when the moon is full

 

she knows the stars, an ascension of pearls
she is mother, the deepest ocean
she weeps silver tears when the moon is full
leaf storm, rice terrace, color of midnight

 

she is mother, the deepest ocean
sunrise, black pearl, blood, and serpent
leaf storm, rice terrace, color of midnight
leaping, spinning, fingertips skyward

 

sunrise, black pearl, blood and serpent
with tobacco and fruit to appease the silence
leaping, spinning, fingertips skyward
she is a silver-winged bird in flight

 

with tobacco and fruit to appease the silence
the medicine woman prays for salt
she is a silver-winged bird in flight
she has marked her own flesh with thunder

 

the medicine woman prays for salt
riverbed fragrance, night herons diving
she has marked her own flesh with thunder
here, the curve of a warrior blade

 

riverbed fragrance, night herons diving
she is witness, keeper of starlight
here, the curve of a warrior blade
she weaves words into the fabric of sky