New Gods

New Gods

an experiment for Jack*

 

The moving hand appears!

 

          and scratches its way across the skin,
          etching its words in the flesh.
          behold. behold. behold.

 

The source gives us the irrevocable counsel!

 

          and now what shall we do?

          we hold that word in our small hands –

          it is too large for us,

          it does not fit in our mouths,

          we cannot compass it.

 

But it does not decide! The right of choice is ours! That is the life equation!

 

          such bombast! such proclamation!

          what pride encircles and draws us

          new gods made in the image of

          hopeful longing and fear.

 

Make us the door for him to enter – prepare for the word. 

          and is this word now a door?
          we are birthed through language,
          it adorns us and wounds us and wraps
          us in its embrace. shhh. wait.

Let your circuits carry the word – let it grow loud – until it reaches the winds of infinity!

          i shall. if i can bear the weight
          of promises. and prophecies. and singing.
          if exultation doesn’t shatter
          my voice, or break my hands.

          if I can have just one more day
          where your hand speaks to me.


* Jack Kirby, ground-breaking comic book artist for both Marvel and DC comics
      * lines 1-3 are from DC Comics’ New Gods #1
      * lines 4-5 are from DC Comics’ Forever People #1