On this celebratory day
Arranging some of my favorite gifts
For Mother Earth
I see how life has slowed down
Instead of a burgeoning garden
I share a space
From across the fence
With the swamp
Weeds of Ipomoea Pandurata
Or Ipomoea Jalapa AKA
High John the Conqueror root
The lovely Morning Glory
Mother of many species
Circle of Himalayan pink salt
White candles for healing
Medicago sativa
Also called alfalfa sprouts
Growing in a jar
Soon to be between
A sliced pita with
Portobello and spicy mustard
Doused in Four Thieves Vinegar
All the symbols of Earth
In nourishing food
As the Ozone self-mends
While lock-down defeats pollution
Drenching the reluctant flower seeds
With Marie Laveau water
Florida Water
And Notre Dame water
I’m a Science person
But today, it can’t hurt
To eclectically call upon
Mystical knowledge also
Like paraphrasing Hoodoo Psalms for healing
And most of all
In this time of Corona virus
Crowning the threat to Earth
Sprinkling powder of
Sangre de Drago
For protection
And because it is never enough
I reach back
Through old family grimoires
To find Ena Drab Farmeko
The 9-herb charm
Used for venom
In my mind
Virus venom
The snake that has silently
Spoiled the seed of global population
And the Mugwort
Reminiscent of Bubonic Plague
Hangs from the entryways
Burns in the bowls
Of my living altar
Of freshly-gathered rain water
Where chants are sung
For the safety and health
Of a battered but determined children
Whose Mother presents counter-gifts
To make us strong
Again…
© 2020 Clarissa Simmens (ViataMaja)
IMAGE: Living Altar
(I THINK I’M ABLE TO USE “WRITE” ON WORDPRESS SO THIS AND THE NEXT FEW POEMS ARE A TEST!)
poeturja 