Freefall April 29, 2002   by Jane Enkin

Shake yourself from the dust, arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem   Isaiah 52:2

Lying in the dust
because there’s nowhere else

No rain
for Jerusalem
No rain
to settle the dry dust
that scuttles along the pathways
swirls and eddie

in the corners

                                                                                                              

Lying in the dust
because there’s nowhere to go
no destination
among all those pathways

Lying in the dust
because the will to walk
the will to stand
is gone

Lying in the dust because it is valuable
to appear abject
incapable
Only a creature so low
    so broken
will be tossed a scrap of food
handed a broken cup
    a sip of tepid, stale water


Lying in the dust
for comfort
for an end to striving
Lying in the dust to wait.


Shake yourself  from the dust,
Arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem.

Rise and take a seat
at the table
demand a voice
insist on being heard

Forget being welcomed
take a place
take a seat

Out of the dust
Into the cool walled garden
Dip into the fountain
and flare out into
    your beauty
shake loose your hair
    stamp your washed feet

Pluck a fruit from the tree
and sit down to eat it
peel it with your teeth
spit the peels on the ground
put your new washed feet
up on the table
let your knees fall open
let the sun warm you
    between your thighs
through your full splashed
skirt

throw back your head
    and howl
with laughter

Nod your head
and doze a little
seated there
    in the garden

Throw back a great cup
    of fountain water
And stare
bird eyed
        at every seed
every graceful statue
    every long branch
every flick of fountain drop
    every flower drooping in the heat