Men and The Goddess

We seem to be heading into even more interesting times now that the mid-term elections in the US are behind us. Change is in the wind; change is always there for us and rather than fear it let’s take solace in it!

I’ve been working on this poem for several days, even soliciting thoughts from a poet colleague, Zane. Today’s poem is about the “weld.” My most esteemed teacher, Martín Prechtel, spoke often of the weld and its importance. The weld is a frontier, a border, a separation. It can be thought of as protection; it can also be a barrier. It can hold people out and also in. Since the southern border of the US has been so much in the news during this election cycle I believe it is time to examine how we feel about borders, about the Weld!

Cross the Weld

There is a place, a strip, an edge,
It separates, divides, demarcates
The end of civilization, domestication,
Bounding, binding, keeping at bay the wild.

This is the weld.

Beyond the weld is a place, a world
Of darkness, creatures, mysteries.
It is a forbidden place of barbarian myth
Holding, hiding, frightening all trespassers.

This is the wild.

But, what if the wild is pure potential,
Holding, hiding, disguising the future?
What if the weld is not a wall, but a mirror
Reflecting, revealing the truth of who we are?

Cross the Weld!

©2018, Richard W. Bredeson, all rights reserved.

PS: Zane and I are having fun together. Watch for some things we are collaborating on that may hook your interest. I’ll announce coming attractions here, so stay tuned, especially all you poets out there!