Modern Sorcery
By Charles Simic
You could have been just another maggot
squirming over history's roadkill.
Instead a witch took pity on you, lucky fellow,
Instead a witch took pity on you, lucky fellow,
made you say abracadabra, and much else
you didn't understand
while you held on to the hem of her skirt.
You know neither the place nor the hour
of your transfiguration.
A kitten lapping a drop of milk
fallen from the Blessed Virgin's breast
in a church at dawn. That's how it felt:
the two of you kneeling there.
Outside, there was a flash of lightning
like a tongue passing over a bloody knife,
but you were safe.
Hexed once and for all in her open arms,
giddy and ticked pink with her sorcery.
*************
This poem is from one of my favorite anthologies, "Staying Alive, Real Poems for Unreal Times" edited by Neil Astley which I've mentioned several times before. It's loaded with great poetry---overflowing!! I know I posted this poem a while back, but I'm doing a rerun because I love it so much.
I love, love, love the imagery in this poem. It literally makes me wince every time I read it. Great stuff!
I'd like to ask everyone to pray for Renee, one of my dear blog friends, who lives in Canada. Her sister is battling inoperable brain cancer and her 25 year old nephew (same sister's son) is battling a rare stomach cancer. They were both diagnosed only recently. They need healing miracles and our loving thoughts.... I appreciate you all!!
Hugs, Love, & Blessings,
~*~Marion~*~
"I believe in prayer. It's the best way we have to draw strength from heaven." ~Josephine Baker
"If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give." ~George MacDonald
