distaff epic in contrasting colours    11-7-90


a woman who was the descendent 
of a forced diaspora 
once executed 
centuries in the past

chanced upon you 
in a clearing 
removing the last of your 
garments

and for once, 
she said to you 
i have had the chance to see 
you naked and genuine

and your form in truth is as 
pale as your history and 
your philosophies...

you are fashioned by forces 
that you have no control over

what history do you have 
that cannot resist such artificial 
masks over your pale form

i am dark 
dark as the night sky 
if it pleases you to see 
me as such//

a descendent of a voyage into 
an unknown dimension 
an unknown continent 
my history sears with 
discomfort and hatred

and you/ image of the flower 
of eternal white lily blooming
have no history to fall back upon 
because
you have been fashioned 
in the image
of an instantaneous obsolete

judgement day 
a perpetual threat to you 
and your cloaks

but i have found you naked 
and for once 
without protection

if i offer you my hand 
will you resist?

if i offer you love 
will you hate me 
for having offered?

can you see me
inside
feel an upswelling passion
that has waited centuries to
befriend
you

as you really are?

in contrasting shades there
is definition
in asymmetries
the possibilities for
alliance/

in distance the possibility 
for closeness

a hand extended/
a movement in response
shaking with fear.

the connection of touching/ 
a stange sensitivity 
strange/ painless .....