Awaken, mother
stir from your slumber
a secret lies in your belly
call to the people
as they come to your shores
for ceremony
do not be still
dance your autumn dance
your elegant chaos
your primordial charm
you, of holy transport
tidal rhythms
move through salted body,
and play with the north wind,
joy oscillates in your expanse
and knows no bounds
your daughters bring to our feet
garlands of tumbling joy,
miracle mountains of sapphire blues
translucent caves, rising from your arms
to meet the sky
you turn men to birds
in flocks they come sit
in your pool of giants
and wait for hollow columns
to swell from your heavy sea
a mystery of rites
the people rise to greet
your gifts of dawn,
to draw ancient shapes
upon your face
and in this season,
we lay in wait for your rage
to wipe our lands of labor,
and drag our shelter
into the mouth of the sea
and through your wrath
teach us what we have forgotten
community, harmony, love
though you may devastate us
we owe you all
our broken homes lay
scattered across your shores
our streets flooded in your moon water
our limbs torn and broken
in efforts to contain your fury
you bring wisdom to our people
elder on the shores of time
fires of youth dance before your watchful gaze
swelling is your truth
that sweet low murmur
ancient one,
we cry mercy from our lips
for we know not what we do
when we lay waste at your shore
and defile your providence
you were the sky, before we had wings
you are the sky, to those who know you well
carrying us, weightless
communing
salt and spirit
-AJ Letterel
AJ is a creative and graduate student living in New York. He currently works for the State University of New York at Old Westbury. Reach AJ at http://www.ajletts.com.