Chasca

CHASCA [1]

Spurning the crown she once wore as a queen

My Incan goddess scales the Andes’ heights,

Above those crags where thunder peals at noon,

To bring me tokens of our destiny.

Ice from a cave, chill roses and wild thyme,

Fir-cones from forests, herbs from mountain streams,

Opals ablaze with lightning, emerald rain,

An eagle's feather, bird's long, haunting cry.

She brings me too her youth, her gentle hands,

White breasts fresh tipped with blossoms, slender waist,

Sweet thyme of hair, black opals of her eyes,

Wild storms that sweep high Andes of our love.

All I can give her are dim memories:

Antique bronze head of fallen emperor,

Crumbling papyrus scrawled with fading poems.

And yet she smiles, and seems content with this.

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[1] The Inca personification of planet Venus, Chasca was a servant of the Sun. She was honored as a goddess of the dawn and twilight, and the special protectress of virgins and young girls.

COPYRIGHT (C) 2010 J D FRODSHAM