Facing the Worst

In despair, they left their ancestral village,

thirsty refugees, fleeing down the dry stream-bed.

Curious, the brave young girl set out alone,

exploring up-stream, singing.

At the head of the stream she met a dragon girl.

“My dying father is sleeping on the Source.

My singing alone can no longer wake him.”

Singing together, they woke him long enough

to have him sleep beside the stream.

The waters flowed again,

renewing the people’s life.

Two brave girls singing!

What new adventures will they find together!

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Two-headed Sisiutl, snake-monster

devoured villages in Her frenzy.

A young girl, wise beyond her years,

used a mirror to entrance one face of nemesis,

luring Her around to healing,

to face Her other face, to fall, forever,

into peace, in love with Herself! (from Haida myth)

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Dragon is a snake with wings.

Unity of matter and spirit,

inscrutable, ethereal,

She flies out of ordinary reality

into a magical, symbolic realm.

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Dragon is to snake

as goddess is to womban.

Goddess-womban,

dragon-lady, snake-girl,

vision and nature:

don't fear Her; don't fear yourself!

© Tamara Rasmussen 2018