Of Contracts with Gods

bonfire of zemis trinity of ashes
Atabeyra Jocahu Guaca
gods of stone and spirit live on
.
in the maritime god of Toussaint and Dessalines
failed fetishes drown ….. and surface again
in the mercantile god of adventurers
.
…..down down to the abyss
Agwe’s servants descend a silent seawall
…..to the Island below the Sea
.
sharkfins in ceremonial row cut soundless
…..a seamless surface of Habacoa seas
silent pallbearers to paradise in Guinee
.
in the maritime god of Tante LaLa and Ti Fi
failed fetishes rise again ….. and prosper
in the lucre of god’s soldiers of fortune
.
•••

“Of Contracts with Gods” is taken from Bethel’s latest book, Bougainvillea Ringplay
(Peepal Tree, 2009).

•••

Bahamian read law at Cambridge, and is the recipient of numerous awards for writing, including a James Michener Fellowship and the Casa de las Americas Prize. In 2009, Guanahani, My Love (House of Nehesi) and Bougainvillea Ringplay (Peepal Tree Press) appeared. She is now working on a third manuscript of poetry and a novel.

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You’re currently reading “Of Contracts with Gods,” an entry on tongues of the ocean

Published:
Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at 12:01 am
2010 February Issue, written word