Philosopher

We left the hospital and with hands joined we crossed

the bridge, translucent water below us like the thoughts

in our minds. Suddenly rain started as if cleansing us

from our sins when we arrived at the philosopher’s dwelling.

We knocked at a door ravaged by the elements. There

was a time we would give our lives for the stamina of youth

though now we seek the wisdom of the golden years;

the philosopher opened his home joyfully like his heart.

He answered all our questions, ‘philosophy always

presents one answer to the question while religion

claims their answer is the only one, and there lies

their difference.’

Übermensch admired the clarity of his thoughts and

after He hugged him tenderly in a trembling voice

He said:‘he is another Übermensch, follow

his teachings.’

Persephone (excerpt)

You hear the horses in the stable and the water that

drips when the pilgrims raise two clay vessels one

to the east and one to the west, pouring out water

and honey or water and barley mixed with wild mint

over the plot with the laurels while they murmur vague

words and spells. And my mother’s voice saying,

golden wheat-ear harvested in silence. Night isn’t

resting us anymore, an endless suspecting hallway

with huge statues, embroidered curtains, masks, stones,

optical illusions, metal items, crystals, doors, one leading

to darkness one to the light, that same stairway with one

golden step and the other black.

Break it down, I said to him

and the three women always there, turned to their backs,

with covered faces, stooping over the empty well, yelling

indecipherable words, and the echo of their unrecognizable

words was multiplied by the well. I can’t endure it here

anymore.

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