Poetry from the Spring 2017 issue
Virgo, Violet Votive Herb
You’re a virgin ofsacrifice. A goddessfeeding the harvest moonpalm frond offeringsfrom your palms.The remaining soilin your fist will turnthe full sun into nectarunder Mercury’s core,an earth apple spottedwith gold-dusted chamomile.Bathe in the lavender dewof mercurial sea until rose-mary needles of golden rain,an Aphroditic ear of grain,drapes around your head.Tie the knot connectinggalaxy clusters to Spica,spiked star shimmering withvestal Vindemiatrix, divinegrape gatherer. Then cultivateMars globes of lavandula.Marriage to the jaded kingof herbs is inevitable. Sacredleaves always seep throughMars’ aquatic craters. Basilparticularly sprinkles out ofnowhere: from holy water, tulsi,a potted pom-pom poem.Sometimes from a Satanicsymbol, a peppermint omen.Remember to place it inyour hands. Under the mouth.Surrender. Pray to reacha blue god, maybe Vishnu.Then settle, with the atmospheremelting away in ablation.